2023 Hometown Heroes
Magazine

Retired LCHS Teacher Jeff Cooper – his “Open-Door” policy and concern for his students make him a hero in many of their eyes
By Devyn Fry
 

Send a link to a friend  Share

[June 26, 2023]   Heroes don’t always wear capes and masks, but they almost always receive a nickname. Jeff Cooper was often dubbed “Coop” by his students through the years at Lincoln Community High School. He is known to be a fan favorite at the school, with many graduates listing him as their favorite teacher or current students dressing up as him during “Spirit Week.”

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.

[to top of second column

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.
 

Read all the articles in our new
2023 Hometown Heroes Magazine

Title
CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES
Page
Hometown Heroes - a tribute to ordinary people doing extraordinary things 4
My good friend became my hero when she literally saved my life! 6
How lessons from ay high school coach literally saved my life 7
Tim Searby, A Man for all Seasons 8
Fraternal Order of Eagles People Helping People 12
Selfless and giving define Elaine Aue as a 2023 Hometown Hero 18
Retired LCHS Teacher Jeff Cooper - his "Open Door" policy and concern for his students make him a hero in many of their eyes 22
Memorial Behavioral health - A place where heroes serve up solid futures for those with challenges 30
John Guzzardo - An overwhelming example of selfless love and generosity 38

< Recent features

Back to top