2023 Outstanding CTE Junior High Teacher of the Year

Kirsten Coury – Peoria Unified School District

Kirsten Coury provides many innovative programs to Junior High School Students and has made significant accomplishments in Career Technical Education so Jr High Students have the opportunity for Career Exploration Programs. Specifically, the Technology, Life, Careers Program. The Peoria Unified School District has been extremely proud of this program that has provided this information to multiple students each year in preparation for life, career skills and planning their high school courses and choosing CTE programs.

Kirsten Coury is a CTE Program Manager in Peoria Unified School District. She continuously has worked with Arizona FBLA and SkillsUSA state leadership to develop middle junior high level programming to encourage development of our younger students so they also can compete at state CTSO Competition. Kirsten has also worked on creating district level CTSO showcase and competitions to promote leadership and professional skills within the 7th and 8th grade students in Peoria Unified School District.  This helps the students learn these proficiencies.

Kirsten works has demonstrated community involvement and collaboration in community service and advisory committees.  Kirsten has worked alongside TLC teachers to promote Middle Level CTSO participation at many PUSD elementary sites, emphasizing the importance of leadership development with these organizations.

Kirsten Coury also presented at the ACTEAZ/ACOVA Mid-Winter Leadership Conference to share techniques and information for Junior High Students Leadership Proficiencies. This session was most helpful to the State Local Directors who had Junior High Programs. This presentation also shared information with all the Local Directors on the opportunities for all students in our Arizona Schools for CTE.