Eric Cooper has been selected to teach middle grades English at Darlington this upcoming school year, and as such, is excited to become a part of the Darlington Community.
Cooper brings with him the wisdom and knowledge of a consecutive 20-year teaching career. Reflecting, he believes that he has been teaching all his life: “Even as a child, I was that kid who did all of his homework on various toys and educated his friends on each toy’s worth, durability, and authenticity. I have always enjoyed learning and sharing that learning with others.”
Cooper holds an A.S. in Science from Georgia Highlands College, a B.S. in Education from Georgia Southern University and a M.A in English-Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. He holds multiple certifications, including a Georgia Level 5 Teaching Certificate in Art and English, is a Junior Great Books Certified Instructor, and is certified by the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children through Montclair State University.
Cooper has experience teaching students of all ages, from young children in school to leading formal Art Criticism discussions with adults. He has exercised his teaching abilities at the Montessori School of Rome, House of the Children Academy, Rome Middle School, Vineville Academy, Downtown Montessori, Cedar Montessori, First Street Arts Center and May Howard Elementary. He deeply values the importance of a strong teaching philosophy, focusing on the power of Socratic questioning and class discussion which he utilizes to open his students’ minds. He also strives to tap into and unlock students’ prior knowledge and interests and assist each student in constructing his or her own learning.
“I hope to create a student-centered environment, a veritable intellectual playground, where each of my students can discover how literature and writing are the adhesive of all other disciplines,” Cooper said.
Hope Jones, director of Pre-K to 8, looks forward to welcoming Cooper to Thatcher Hall. “I love when English teachers begin to set up their classrooms and bring in all of their wonderful books!" she said. "Eric is extremely energized about working with our middle grades students and will be a wonderful addition to our team.”
Cooper has five children, ranging in age from 6 to 22, and is married to wife Sabrina. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his children, drawing, writing and reading. He enjoys volunteer work and has accrued an impressive list of accomplishments from volunteering and collaborating with his community.
“I very much look forward to collaborating with other faculty members to make deep connections with my students across various disciplines," said Cooper. "The community feel of Darlington, combined with its rigorous and global academic approach, is the perfect crucible for interdisciplinary studies. I expect to make wonderful and lifelong relationships at Darlington.”
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Natalie Horah (‘19), who is serving as an intern in the Communication Office this summer.
