Schools
Twin Peaks' Jo Ann Cooper Says Students Make It Worthwhile
The Twin Peaks Middle School teacher—one of three Teacher of the Year award recipients—says she's "blessed."
It has always been Jo Ann Cooper’s dream to work for the Poway Unified School District. Cooper said when she was earning her teaching credential at California State University San Marcos, her teachers asked her what her dream job would be.
“I always answered, ‘To teach pre-algebra and algebra at a middle school in Poway Unified,’ ” Cooper said.
Copper—who was named one of three Teacher of the Year award recipients for 2011 last week alongside Lisa Casey-O’Brien, a physics teacher at Poway High School, and Julie Harris, a fourth-grade teacher at Willow Grove Elementary—didn't know she would be stepping into her dream job immediately after completing her teaching credential program in 2000.
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A teacher at Twin Peaks for the last 11 years, Cooper said she was honored and surprised to be selected as one of the winners of the Teacher of the Year award.
“I was oh-so surprised when I saw our superintendent walk into my classroom on Monday,” Cooper said. “I'll always remember the ‘oh my goodness’ feeling I had when I saw Dr. Collins. I'm extremely honored and humbled, and still keep pinching myself to make sure this dream come true is real!”
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She discovered her passion for teaching when she volunteered as a reading tutor at Westwood Elementary while her children were students at the school. Cooper said she loved being with the students and helping them so much that she realized she wanted to be a teacher full time.
Cooper aims to go above and beyond what is expected of her as a teacher to help each of her students achieve success in the classroom. In addition to regularly scheduled class times, she makes herself available before school and during lunch hours to help students who need one-on-one support.
She also employs creative teaching techniques that help students understand the sometimes tricky world of math. Using visuals, mnemonic devices and online technology, such as Compass Learning, mind math and the Khan Academy online curriculum, Cooper creates a comfortable learning environment that encourages students to be excited about learning math.
While Cooper says she loves teaching as a profession, it is her students who make the job worthwhile. And she’s found the perfect niche for herself at Twin Peaks, teaching a level of students that she can truly enjoy.
“Without a doubt, the kids are the best part of my job,” Cooper said. “I love their energy and fun-loving spirits! It is a true privilege to be able to enjoy them. I especially like teaching eighth-graders because they wiggle less than younger students, they have a more ‘grown up’ sense of humor, yet are still young kids at heart; it's the best of both worlds.”
Cooper said she wishes she could share the special feeling of being chosen a Poway Unified School District Teacher of the Year with all teachers.
“It has been incredible! I'm so blessed,” Cooper said. “To think that I'm now a PUSD Teacher of the Year is an amazing honor. I'm living proof that dreams can come true.”
Also read:
Julie Harris’ Positive Attitude Is a Lesson for All Willow Grove Students
