Richland One Boasts State Teacher of the Year Finalist For Second Consecutive Year

Angela S. Cooper, Richland School District One's 2003-04 Teacher of the Year, has been named as a finalist for South Carolina Teacher of
the Year.

This marks the second consecutive year, and the third in the last four years, that the district's Teacher of the Year has advanced to finalist in the state competition.

Cooper, who teaches third- and fourth-grade emotionally disabled (ED) students at E.E. Taylor Elementary School, is a 20 -year
veteran.

A native of Columbia and graduate of C.A. Johnson High School, Cooper received her B.S. degree from Benedict College and her M.Ed. degree from Cambridge College. She also has studied at S.C. State University and Columbia College.

She began her teaching career in Richland One in 1983 as a fourth-and fifth-grade ED teacher at Watkins Elementary School. She also taught at Atlas Road Elementary, Carver Elementary and Hyatt Park Elementary before assuming her current position at E.E. Taylor in 1997.

"Because I feel so passionately about education, I strive to pass this enthusiasm on to my students, " she said." I believe that all children want to learn and succeed, therefore, those students in my charge do progress, learn and achieve."

She characterizes herself as being proactive rather than reactive to teaching. "I maintain high expectations, am consistent, fair and just in my interaction with students," she said. "Though planning and preparation are essential to my work, I remain flexible. And most importantly, I enjoy what I do."

Each day she provides academic rigor, purposely connecting with students, their families and agencies in an effort to better assess needs and provide the best education possible. 
 Cooper enjoys reaching the student most have given up on and empowering that student to create a higher level of self-esteem by cultivating strengths, rather than dwelling on weaknesses.

She has helped to secure more than $160,000 in grant funds for a community organization that addresses youth issues.

The five finalists, all National Board-certified, chosen from nominees representing the state's 85 local school districts, will travel to Columbia March 15 for personal interviews with the seven-member state Selection Committee. They are vying to represent more than 45,000 South Carolina teachers in the National Teacher of the Year Program.