Mr. Gary Cook's academic year extended a little longer than most, and in more ways than one.
Mr. Cook, who began teaching at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in 1979, spent the first week of June reading more than 900 U.S. History AP Exams before spending another week teaching the game he loves to future and current soccer coaches.
"It allows me to continue to stay in coaching and education, which is something I truly enjoy," Mr. Cook said.
For the seventh year, Mr. Cook served as an AP reader for U.S. History. The week-long event in Louisville, Ky., attracted college professors and high school history teachers from throughout the country, with Mr. Cook serving as a table leader.
"Even though AP reading is grueling, I enjoyed being a table leader," Mr. Cook said. "You get a chance to shape the culture of the group. The common goal is to give every essay the best read it deserves, but I enjoyed having that leadership position and mentoring."
More than 491,000 high school students took the 2016 U.S. History AP Exam. Mr. Cook graded the document-based essay question and one of the free response essays.
"Intellectually, it is the most rewarding thing I've done since my master's degree," Mr. Cook added. "The work is not fun and the days are long. It's really demanding, but at the end of the day it keeps me in contact with history folks from all over the country at the college and high school level. It keeps me on the inside of the College Board and, most importantly, it's work I can bring back here. That's ultimately the real reason."
Coincidentally, Mr. Cook found himself in the middle of Louisville history when he learned boxer and American icon Mohammed Ali, who was born in Louisville, had died.
"The city was a buzz for what he meant," he said. "It was kind of exciting to be there."
Mr. Cook always finds it exciting to talk about soccer, which he did for a week in the eastern end of the state as part of the National Soccer Coaches Association. He taught field sessions and lectures to coaches from throughout the country, serving as a mentor, instructor and evaluator.
"I've been a 30-year member of the National Soccer Coaches Association, and my mentors in the game, most of them come from that association, including former WMA coach Mike Parsons," said Mr. Cook, who served as the Boys' Soccer Varsity Coach for 35 seasons before stepping down in December. "And, I believe in giving back to the game, so now that I've stepped down as coach here it gives me a great opportunity to keep giving back my 40 years of experience."Between the AP reading and the soccer coaching was an event to honor Coach Cook's 35-year career as the Boys' Varsity Soccer Coach, with more than 150 people coming to WMA to attend the "Pig Roast for Gary Cook." Mr. Sean McGrath '07 and Mr. John Boozang served as emcees, and a number of former players gave funny and heartfelt speeches.
"It was a great night," Mr. Cook said.