As ‘Teacher of the Year,’ Cooper stresses feedback in her classroom
MADISON – Kelsey Cooper believes that a teacher should listen to the students and “meet them where they are.” Cooper is “Teacher of the Year” at Discovery Middle School.
“My teaching philosophy is relationships first,” Cooper said. “I would say that I am strict in some aspects, but, if the kids know you love and care about them, then it makes the job that much easier.”
In 2015, she completed student-teaching for seventh grade at Discovery. After graduating from Athens State University in December 2015, Cooper returned to Discovery to teach eighth-grade math in January 2016. While at Discovery, she has taught math 8, algebra and Algebra Math Team.
In addition, Cooper sponsors Fellowship of Christian Athletes and First Priority. “I helped coach softball for two years before my first little one came along,” she said.
“One success that I have had with students is asking for their feedback on things that I can do to help them,” Cooper said. “I always provide them with feedback. The only way I show them that I am here to learn with them is include them in the feedback that I need to grow as a teacher and a person.”
Growing up in Ardmore, Ala., she played softball and volleyball in high school. “We won the 4A State Title in softball my junior year,” Cooper said.
She attended Calhoun Community College on a softball scholarship and then earned a bachelor’s degree at Athens State University. “I received my National Board Certification in December of 2019. I am currently working on my master’s degree in instructional leadership with the hopes of finishing this summer,” Cooper said.
Her husband Jonathan Cooper works as Senior Procurement Analyst at TriGreen Equipment. “Jonathan is the best,” Kelsey said. “We make a perfect team and that is what marriage is all about. We have two little boys: Rhett, 3, and Colton, 10 months. Rhett just finished his first year of T-ball, and Colton is starting to take his first steps.”
Jonathan and Kelsey started dating in ninth grade. “He went to my rival high school in softball, but I let that one slide,” Kelsey said.
“I love spending time with my family. We have a camper, and we go camping a lot,” Kelsey said. “We just got back from a family beach trip, which was the absolute best.”
