Hello My Name Is...
Courtney Payne
[email protected]
I am honored to serve as a teacher and coach at Pelham High School. I currently teach Advanced Biology, AP Biology, and I am the Strength and Conditioning Coach for 9 of our sports teams. Faith, education, family, and fitness are the four cornerstones of my life. I participated in collegiate athletics (basketball) before transferring to and graduating from The University of Alabama with a degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition. While in Tuscaloosa, I worked in the Strength and Conditioning department under the guidance of Coach Michelle Diltz and served as a student assistant with the women’s basketball team. Upon graduation, I accepted an internship in S&C at LSU and mentorship from Coach Melissa Moore and USA Weightlifting Senior International Coach Gayle Hatch. I then transitioned into the public fitness world, working as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Manager for five total years at various gyms in the Birmingham metro area.
I caught the coaching bug in 2011, accepting a high school position as head girl’s basketball coach before moving on to Jacksonville State University. While in Jacksonville, I maintained a post as conditioning coach, a spot on the women’s basketball staff, and received a Master of Science degree in Sports Management. From there, my stops have included five high schools. At all five, I worked with the girl’s basketball (head and assistant coach) and track & field (throws coach) teams while serving as the S&C coach of each. I have taught Physical Education and Science (Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Forensics, Earth & Space, Chemistry, and Zoology) throughout my high school teaching tenure and am a Professor of Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology at the university level. In total, I have 2.5 years as a strength coach at Division 1 schools, 9 years in public education, 11 years of sports coaching, and 16 years of total experience in the strength and fitness realm. I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree. Go Panthers!