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 Whether
he was at the front of the classroom or out on the field, everyone
knew him as someone who would always assist in any way that he
could. Mr. Cooper would give the shirt off of his back to someone
any given day- though he might eventually offer to take them clothes
shopping!
After 23 years at LCHS, Mr. Cooper has made the heavy-hearted,
difficult decision to retire. This news was such a shock to me, and
to all of the friends that I shared it with. While it is truly sad
that future students will not have the opportunity to be a part of
his classroom, Mr. Cooper deserves the chance to relax and spend all
of his time doing what he loves with those closest to him, whether
it be volunteering at community events, family visits, catching
crappie, or hosting fish fries.
Before teaching, Mr. Cooper was a long-time respiratory therapist.
He would work the night shift, and by day take care of his young
family. Simultaneously, he managed to receive a bachelor’s in
teaching. Mrs. Cooper recalled that Mr. Cooper’s call to teaching
came in his thirties, and during his time searching for a teaching
position, he was adamant that they had to live in and be a part of
the community where he taught. Eventually, Mr. Cooper started off at
LCHS as a coach in 1999 first with the baseball team, and later with
the football and softball teams. Whilst coaching softball, he had
the opportunity to work with his three daughters, Melyssa, Meghan,
and Madalyn which was an experience of a lifetime. After about 15
years of coaching, he resigned with an aching yet knowing heart. Mr.
Cooper wanted to spend more time with his girls and his wife now of
over 30 years, Valerie. He couldn’t stay away from his passion for
coaching and sports entirely; Mr. Cooper still volunteers to referee
football and umpire fast pitch softball games to this day! He
remained teaching government and history through the 2023 school
year, promoting teamwork in class as he once did on the field.
He has been a very active member in the Hoi Crappie Club,
participating in tournaments for several years, as well as going
fishing with his family (especially his grandson), past students,
and friends. He is always more than willing to welcome others into
his home. The Cooper’s also lend a helping hand in many community
and student fundraising events by volunteering their time or
donating to the cause. Back in the summer of 2017, Mr. Cooper was
one of the cooks that prepared 1,000 sausage patties for the
Railsplitter Football Breakfast! Additionally, for several years
they owned a Christmas Tree farm. Mrs. Cooper shared that often, Mr.
Cooper would spend all summer long preparing the trees for winter,
just so families could pick out their special one. Now, you may find
him mowing his neighbor’s lawns or hosting fish fries with previous
students and family.
As a teacher, Mr. Cooper often shared stories about
his dad, fishing trips, and experiences/lessons he learned as a
father. Class discussions would start in the subject matter, and
almost always include a life lesson. He was always open to new
perspectives, ideas, and opinions from his class. Students enjoyed
asking Mr. Cooper about his day and his life, and he would
consistently tell his tales. I have fond memories of Mr. Cooper
halting discussions because of someone's demeanor or a comment they
made and turning the conversation into one about reasons to work
hard, love unconditionally, and stand up for yourself. He always
told us that we were tough, to keep our heads up, and that we were
gifted and talented in whatever our interests were. Mrs. Cooper told
me in our interview that Mr. Cooper’s students quickly became an
extension of his family, which matches up with the interviewed
students’ feelings. Many students were actually quite excited to
talk to me about Mr. Cooper, and although I had never written an
article for the paper before, I knew this had to be my first one.
While not every student is going to like a teacher, the chosen
students (and most of the ones I knew) had nothing but positivity to
detail.
Orion Decker is also a former student through Mr. Cooper’s ‘American
Government’ class. She recalls, “There was a point in time I didn't
think I was good enough to be a nurse, but Mr. Cooper always told me
I could do it and more. He always told me I had the heart for
nursing and that I should believe in myself. Him saying that has
stuck with me today and I remember it every time I'm in a rough
spot. He made me believe I could accomplish my dreams!” Orion now is
pursuing her nursing dreams through Illinois State University.
Liam Luken reminisced on a particularly favorite moment of his from
his Civics class. “At the very end of my senior year, the last time
I had class with him, he showed a video titled "wear sunscreen,"
which was (essentially) a video telling people to take care of
themselves. He cried near the end of it, telling us how much he
genuinely cared for all of us and the class of '21.”
Past student Katie Hackwith had much love to share in her interview.
She wrote, “Coop saw the potential in everyone. He strived to see
his students doing well, growing in and out of the classroom. He did
his best in being equally attentive to each one of his students,
supporting everyone’s lives, interests and careers despite their
opinions of his class. He’s a very open minded and caring person,
and much more than just a teacher. He wanted to commission me for a
painting in trade for a nice portfolio case for college because he
knew my parents weren’t supporting me with supplies (or at all
financially). He always had food for me at the beginning of class
because I was so thin. Coop's the only teacher I've felt safe enough
to talk to about my life at home and know I wouldn't be judged. He
gave students the room to have a break mentally in his class if it
was needed. If he noticed a student falling asleep or not paying
attention, instead of scolding them, he would make a lighthearted
joke then offer a hand to listen and help where he could.
He made an effort to work with and understand the
student’s life and background, compromising on the due dates of
assignments and allowing them the chance to rest. Students weren’t
afraid to communicate or be open with him; he was a safe space for a
great deal of them. I’ve seen students who were hated by other
teachers and looked at as “lost-cause dropouts” completely turn
around when they ended up with Mr. Cooper. He wanted to understand
and uplift them, not give up on them.
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Those students started getting higher grades in his
class, participated, and took tests on time. He’s been a shining
light in so many people’s lives, and for him to burn so strong and
for so long truly shows how amazing and dedicated of a man he is. If
every teacher in the US Education System showed the care and
understanding he had, lights would be a lot brighter all over the
world.”
These students were not the only ones reached by him, though. Upon
getting in touch with LCHS through social media, I found out that a
post regarding the 2023 graduates and retiring staff reached almost
12,000 people, “mostly due to the photo of Mr. Cooper.” With over
330 positive reactions on photos in respect to Mr. Cooper, the
comments were littered with congratulations and thanks to him for
being an amazing teacher. On individual shares of the post, many
people referred to him as the best teacher they had ever had, their
inspiration, and reminisced on the impact he has had in their lives.
Mr. Cooper loves when former students make efforts to keep in touch,
and looks forward to what may come with his retirement.
In his last few weeks at the high school, Mr. Cooper
carefully packed up a room full of many memories. Cards, artwork,
and photos from his students were on display all over the classroom
and on his desk. Mr. Cooper left with organized boxes and binders of
their gifts. If the note or artwork from the student didn’t have a
full name or year with it, Mr. Cooper found their school photo to
put with their piece. He was very excited to show the binders and
boxes that remained to me upon our first visit since my graduation
in 2021. My favorite piece in his collection was a note from his
wife. Up until his last day of work, it remained in his desk as it
had always been for the last 23 years. Written were her warm wishes
for his “first day in class.” Mr. Cooper stated that at first his
goals as a teacher were to survive, and then he wanted to earn his
students’ respect, be remembered as a good teacher, and prepare them
for a life after high school. He was very certain in saying that, “I
will miss all the smiles more than anything.”
I have so many stories I could tell about Mr. Cooper. I’m tearing up
knowing I won’t get to spend an hour a day, five days a week in his
class anymore. In my recent visit, I left with five hugs and a
promise of crappie filets and a lesson on how to prepare them. I
know he had many favorite students, and I was so happy to know that
I got to be one of them. He had a closet with nice shirts and ties
for students to borrow if they needed professional attire for class
presentations. Mr. Cooper had a drawer in the file cabinet behind
his desk dedicated to snacks and water bottles for the students. I
got to go up and get what I needed from the drawer anytime I needed
it. Every year the first prompt for our individual binders was to
write about ourselves: our lives, interests, goals, and dreams. He
truly wanted to get to know all of his many students as thoroughly
as he could. I had my own intensive problems, and Mr. Cooper always
let me go to the counselor’s office during his class- even if it
happened multiple days a week. On the days I didn’t/couldn’t go, we
would talk instead. I was always reassured by him and told how
talented and smart of a kid I was. In fact, being the loving
jokester he is, Mr. Cooper would routinely poke fun at us then
follow with, “Hey, you know I’m just kiddin’, right? I love you man.
You don’t hate me, do ya’?”
I identify with many others in saying that I
genuinely would not have survived this long without him taking the
role of a mentor and guide in my life. I am so thankful that Mr.
Cooper was and is a part of my life. I hope that now that I have
graduated, I get to be more than a former student: a friend.
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