Flurry’s Flyers: English teacher Annie Flurry’s positive attitude is an asset as she coaches cheerleading

Thank goodness she said yes. 

When English teacher Annie Flurry graduated from the University of Kansas 28 years ago, her advisor told her it was important to say yes to any extra responsibilities when interviewing for a teaching job. So when she accepted a teaching job at Shawnee Mission West, she immediately said yes to a cheer coaching position as well. 

She couldn’t help but wonder what she was getting herself into. Flurry had two years of cheer experience in high school, but wasn’t sure what her role would be as a coach. But now, after coaching high school cheer for 17 years and her daughter’s elementary school team for two, she’s discovered that her positive attitude is a perfect fit for coaching cheer — and her personal life and teaching style have flourished as a result. 

“My greatest strength as a coach is my positivity,” Flurry said. “I am super encouraging and approachable, which works really well in the classroom and as a coach.”

She gave up her high school coaching job 11 years ago after she got pregnant with her son, Liam — but she missed working with students outside of the classroom, encouraging them to improve and having a positive impact on the girls. So when her daughter expressed an interest in cheer three years ago, she not only signed her up, but signed herself up as a coach too a year later.

“I’m trying to challenge myself at this point in my life, to do extracurricular things that are directly with my kids,” Flurry said. “[My daughter] Lily said that she would love it if I coached her team, so I started coaching again.”

Positivity is the first thing that comes to mind when fellow coach and senior Hailey Gant thinks about her. Gant has been a squad assistant for Flurry’s elementary school squad this year, and she admires how Flurry uplifts and encourages the girls during practices — even if they didn’t hit their stunts or perfect their competition routine during practice. 

Gant describes Flurry’s coaching style as less business and more fun. She gives the girls pep talks throughout practice, creates nicknames and organizes bonding activities — like caroling — outside of practice.

“Flurry really alters the atmosphere by bringing in that positivity, and that is vital for a team,” Gant said. “There are a lot of coaches in the cheer world that are so negative, and that really puts the athletes down. I think that she does a really great job of creating an atmosphere that is really great to be around.”

She maintains this same positivity in the classroom, too. When Gant was in Flurry’s AP English Language and Composition class last year, she noticed how Flurry always encouraged her students and pushed them to reasonable limits. Much like how she pushes her athletes to try new skills and supports them even if they’re not perfect.

“She definitely believes in all of her students and she wants to see them succeed,” Gant said. “And I think that definitely shines through when she’s coaching as well.”

Coaching her daughter’s fourth-through-sixth-grade grade team encompasses all of the things she loved about coaching high school cheer — with less of a commitment. She’s been able to watch her team improve in skills, like stunting and sharper motions. 

Practices with her elementary schoolers involve a balance of silliness and authority. Between teaching stunting safely and lecturing about attitudes, she’s telling the girls to stop playing on the empty mat carts or leading games of Little Sally Walker.

“I like that they can have fun, be kids and incorporate their childhood into the sport,” Flurry said. “Some competitive teams are all business, but I work hard to make sure the girls are still having fun.” 

Gant especially admires how inclusive Flurry is, both inside the classroom and while coaching. When stunting, Flurry always allows each girl to try every position. In the classroom, she establishes trust and leads discussions — making it easier for students to open up. 

“She’s very positive and uplifting, and makes everyone feel like they’re a vital part in what they’re doing,” Gant said. “In stunting, she makes sure that people know they’re a vital part of the stunt, and not one person is more helpful than the others. You can just tell how much this impacts the girls, having a supportive coach like her.”