Throughout this school year, Elmira High School has gone through many staff changes, and that includes the special-ed department with the addition of Ian Cooper to the teaching staff.
Cooper and his family have been involved with the Fern Ridge School District in many different ways. While you may remember him from the middle school, we’re here to give you a new perspective on who Cooper is inside and outside the classroom.
Question: What is your teaching philosophy?
Answer: Break things down as much as possible, lead by example and use plenty of real-life comparisons.
Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A: I’ve always had a desire to give knowledge, but I have to say, I wasn’t keen on becoming a teacher until college. Since then? It’s been a burning desire.
Q: Why did you decide to teach at this school?
A: I’m an EHS alumni, having graduated from here in 2013. I did track and field along with cross country all four years, being captain of the cross-country team during the 2012 season. I also participated in Mr. Falcon.
Q: Where did you attend college/when did you graduate?
A: I went to college at Linfield University (then Linfield College) in McMinnville, Oregon.
Q: Did you have any teachers growing up that impacted you in a way that made you want to become a teacher, negative or positive?
A: Oh yes. Some are still teaching here, actually! Bob Bruce, Marion French, Brad Bellingham (who I owe so much to) and Shannon Hart (introduced me to sci-fi), to name a few. I even took a class from my own father, Forrest Cooper. Honestly, I don’t think I could have had a better crew of teachers growing up. Simply not possible.
Q: What frustrates you most in the classroom?
A: Something I learned from a teacher named Zach Allen a long, long time ago, is students putting their heads down on a desk. To me, that means they’re not paying attention or showing respect to their teacher or peers.
Q: What aspects of teaching do you like and dislike?
A: The value of giving or handing down knowledge to the next generation cannot be underestimated. As for dislikes? I can’t just put my work away at the end of the day. My work comes home with me, almost every day.
Q: What were your original career aspirations before you chose teaching?
A: I have a love of history, so I wanted to be involved in a museum or some kind of historical preservation.
Q: Favorite teaching moment/memory?
A: Well, I’ve only been here a few weeks so far, so I’m still making lots of new memories, but one of my favorites has to be after I mentioned I had eaten a Domino’s pizza after three days of being left out. The whole classroom went silent, then exploded in questions.
Q: What motivates you the most?
A: Honestly? Probably my girlfriend. I’m not one to do things for my own sake, but if it impacts someone else, I’ll have it done before you can blink.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: Definitely a historian. Tall, nerdy, and athletic. I love playing music with my dad, so I’m a musician as well! (I play bass.)
Q: What are some things you do outside of teaching?
A: I play a truly concerning amount of video games. However, I also enjoy reading books (one a day if I want to) and I love hunting in the fall with my dad. Sometimes my girlfriend and I will go on little vacations, and I love exploring new places with her.
Q: Favorite quote?
A: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” — Teddy Roosevelt
Q: Favorite song?
A: I could name 20 to 30, but here’s one of my favorites: “American Remains” by The Highwaymen.
Q: A person who inspires you and why?
A: I know it’s a bit of a cliche, but my dad. He’s just amazing at everything he’s put his mind to, be that hunting, working, or building a deck. He’s taught me every day of my life, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without him and my mom.
— Former Falcon News reporter Kelsey Hemple contributed to this report.
