George Burich

George N. Burich III holds the position of Director of Pupil Services and Assistant Principal 6-12, where he excels in overseeing student services, district-wide  including special education and gifted education programs. Safety is his top priority, leading the district Threat Assessment Team while also providing instructional leadership to enhance the overall educational quality. His expertise lies in student management through Multi-tiered Systems of Support, ensuring personalized assistance, and resources for all students.

Before this current position, Burich spent three years as Co-curricular Director and Assistant Principal for grades 6-12, fostering strong relationships with students, staff, and parents. Prior to joining Cuyahoga Heights, Burich spent 16 years as an Intervention Specialist (teacher for students with disabilities) in Willoughby-Eastlake Schools. He began his career in education as an intervention specialist in the Maple Heights City Schools for one year.

Burich's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Certification in Education of the Handicapped (K-12) from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. He also holds a Master of Education Degree in Sports Management from Cleveland State University and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University in Chicago, Ill., where he obtained his Principal and Superintendent licensure. Currently, he is pursuing his doctoral degree in Concordia’s Educational Leadership Program.

Throughout his 17-year teaching career, Mr. Burich was actively involved in coaching several high school sports, including track, wrestling, baseball, bowling, and his greatest passion:  football. He served as the head football coach at Eastlake North High School, his alma mater, for seven years. Notably, he received recognition as the Lake County Touchdown Club Coach of the Year in 2011, the News-Herald Senior Bowl All-Star Game Head Coach in 2012, and also took on the role of President of the Lake County Touchdown Club in 2012. Beyond sports, Mr. Burich is also committed to making a positive impact and serves on the Board of Directors for "Build The Bridge." This organization aims to foster unity, development, and empowerment across Northeast Ohio and beyond, regardless of race, class, or creed, by bringing together coaches, players, parents, administrators, and community members from predominantly black and predominantly white football teams across the state.

Outside of his professional life, Mr. Burich is an enthusiastic rucker and enjoys participating in early morning F3 workouts—a national network of free, peer-led workouts for men. In fact, he was recently announced as the leader of F3 Cleveland. He also shares his passion for rucking and leadership with his students, having started the Red Wolf Ruck Club at Cuyahoga Heights Middle School in 2022. Mr. Burich and his wife, Gina, who is a French teacher at Mayfield High School, have two children, Braeden and Josephine, and they reside in Kirtland, Ohio.