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GHS grad named Pennsylvania Teacher of Year
FOX CHAPEL, Pa. -- A 1985 Greencastle High School graduate was recently named Pennsylvania's 2015 Teacher of the Year and is now the state's nominee for National Teacher of the Year.
Mairi Cooper, a teacher at Fox Chapel Area High School, was announced as the 2015 winner during the Monday, Dec. 8 awards program in Hershey, Pa. She was chosen from one of 15 finalists named by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett in April.
Currently in her 14th year at Fox Chapel Area High School, Cooper teaches Advanced Placement music theory, orchestra, piano and world music, is director of the high school orchestra and is chairperson of the high school's music department. She previously served as an eighth-grade orchestra director and elementary strings teacher for her school district in suburban Pittsburgh.
Her parents, James and Sheila Cooper, still live in Greencastle.
According to Fox Chapel Area High School Senior/Lead Principal Michael Hower, Cooper is very deserving of the recognition.
"Mairi's dedication and commitment to our students has a lasting impact on each of their lives," Hower said. "She is an integral part of an extremely talented faculty, who support her efforts and are excited for her as well."
Fox Chapel Superintendent Gene Freeman added to the praise.
"Mairi is a teacher that defies gravity. When you think she has lifted her students to the highest degree, she inspires them to go even higher," Freeman said.
As part of the ceremony, Cooper was introduced by Fox Chapel Area High School senior and orchestra member Eli Ziff. He described her as not just his teacher, but his role model.
"I believe Ms. Cooper is nominated for the wrong award," Ziff said. "Ms. Cooper is not my Teacher of the Year, she is my teacher of a lifetime."
During her career, Cooper has coordinated professional development opportunities and curriculum for music staff and string teachers throughout the district; and mentored a new high school choir director, middle school orchestra director as well as string
teachers in other school districts.
She has developed curriculum for the high school's music department; drafted proposals for two new music courses: History of Rock and Roll and World Music, which are currently being piloted; and coordinated continuity in orchestra curriculum throughout the district.
Cooper is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teachers Association.
She previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University and as a part-time faculty member at Seton Hill University.
She was a middle school orchestra director at Carnegie Mellon's Summer String Workshop, orchestra director at Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Camp and a faculty member at the Governor School for the Arts in West Virginia.
Cooper obtained her master's and bachelor's degrees in music from the University of Rochester.
Upon receiving her award, Cooper was quick to praise the other finalists and her colleagues who inspire her.
"This is truly a noble profession and I am honored and overwhelmed that you have asked me to represent you," Cooper said.
Teachers were nominated by students, parents, colleagues, or community members.
The Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year.