Cherokee always recruits astounding new teachers to teach our students here at Cherokee. One of the new teachers we would like to recognize is Coach Coury! However, Coach Coury is not exactly new, but it has been almost twenty years since he taught at CHS.
Coach Coury teaches physical education as well as serves as a teacher for the ISS/ALT school classrooms. He is already making a terrific impact on the school, and is beloved both by the students he teaches and players he coaches.
“Coach Coury is one of the most caring and empathetic people I have ever been around. His goal each day is to develop relationships with students and get to know them for who they are.
He takes time to understand where they are coming from and what is going on in their lives and then tries to help them through whatever unfortunate circumstances they are going through.
He is not here just to pick up a paycheck. He is here to make a difference in this world, one student at a time. Cherokee HS is beyond blessed to have him,” said Coach Law.
“Coach Coury has been a tremendous addition to the CHS staff. He is always positive, uplifting, and wanting to serve students needs,” said Coach Adams.
“He is one of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever met. What you see is what you get,” said Coach Johnson.
We asked Coach Coury to answer a few questions about himself so CHS could get to know him better, if they don’t already know him.
What brought you to Cherokee?
My family was living and working in Atlanta and it was time to move away from the city. I spent my adult life in the Cumming area and my wife and I wanted to move back to the area.
Where did you attend college? Do you have any favorite memories
I earned my Bachelors at Valdosta State and my Masters at the University of Missouri.
Where (if any) have you taught (or coached) before?
I actually started my career here at Cherokee High School in 1997. I coached football and track here for two years prior to becoming the Head Track Coach at South Forsyth High School.
I coached football and track at South Forsyth from 1999 to 2007. At that time I moved to Pinecrest Academy (a single A Catholic School in Cumming).
I became an offensive coordinator and started a brand new track team and strength training program at Pinecrest.
In 2013 I “retired” from coaching track so I could spend more time with my wife and three kids. I continued to teach and coach football. I spent time coaching football at West Forsyth High School before becoming the Head Football Coach at Holy Spirit Prep in Atlanta.
I served as the head football coach and strength and conditioning coach at HSP from 2016 until I came here to Cherokee. Twenty-three years later I have made a complete circle back to the place where it all began.
What advice would you give athletes? Students?
Wow. There is so much to pass on. Because my faith guides my world view I would have to say….. always try to learn to live a life worthy of the reward of Heaven. Don’t get bogged down in chasing after things that won’t last. Make your life about others, about relationships, not things.
I would tell them: 1. LOVE without getting tired. No matter how many times a person messes up, hurts you, or does you wrong, just keep loving them. 2. I would tell them to PRAY without ceasing, what ever that means to you take time to reflect and think, to speak your struggles, your needs, your wants and your faults and to always reflect. 3. I would tell them to WORK as if their life depended on it. Whatever you do, do it with all of your might, give your best for yourself, your team, your family, your friends. Everyone deserves your best. 4. I would tell them to always SEEK knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Why did you go into teaching?
I actually had no desire to be a teacher, I started school in hopes of being an engineer. Halfway through college an opportunity came up to volunteer as a track coach at Lowndes County High School.
I figured I would try it and fell in love with coaching. I changed my major and had to hustle to catch up on the classes I needed to graduate on time. I had to take a couple extra summer classes, but I was able to graduate. It was not the path I though my life would follow, but good and bad days alike, it has been as absolute blessing.
What is one thing you wish you knew coming into teaching?
Every student has a story and though I think I have always known that, I did not always do a good job of showing empathy. As I have gotten older and more seasoned, I have grown in my ability to respond to my students with more patience and understanding. I am still a hard nosed person with high expectations and standards, but I am more understanding of the process now, that students (and adults) are not finished products. I think that growth is a result of my increasing faith over the years. I wish I could have seen students through my current eyes way back then.
Favorite Food/ Random fact about you (both would be fun)
Food = I love stuffed shells / manicotti. (and most other Italian food). Random fact = I love to teach lessons from the bible.
It takes a lot of time and patience to be a teacher, so always make sure you show you appreciate your teachers!
The Warrior Word 