[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DOUGLASS W. COOPER--OHIO TEACHER OF THE YEAR

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, as we continue to debate the 
education reform legislation and the importance of teachers, in 
particular, I would like to recognize and congratulate an outstanding 
teacher from my home state, Mr. Douglass W. Cooper, who has been named 
the Ohio Teacher of the Year for 2001.
  Nothing is as important to our children's education than the quality 
of their teachers. My own high school principal, Mr. Malone, once told 
me that when it comes to education in our schools, only two things 
really matter, a student who wants to learn and a teacher who can 
teach. Mr. Malone was right 35 years ago, and he's still right today!
  A good teacher has the power to fundamentally change the course of a 
child's life. I'm sure that each of us can recall at least one great 
teacher who inspired us, or motivated us and changed our lives. These 
teachers guided us then and continue to influence us today.
  Douglass Cooper is one of those teachers. He is the kind of teacher 
who has a life-lasting impact on his students. And, as Ohio Teacher of 
the Year, Mr. Cooper is being recognized for this and for his 
outstanding dedication and leadership in the classroom, school, and 
community.
  Mr. Cooper, who received both a bachelor's and a master's degree from 
Wright State University, is currently a social studies teacher in 
Clinton County, Ohio, and has been teaching in the Wilmington School 
System for the last ten years. He serves as the chair of the social 
studies department at Wilmington High School. Mr. Cooper is a member of 
the Wilmington Local Professional Development Committee and serves his 
school as a mentor for entry-year teachers. He is a National Board 
Certified teacher and received the Ohio Governor's Educational 
Leadership Award in 1999.
  Additionally, Mr. Cooper has spent much of his free time volunteering 
in his community. He is involved in the Clinton County Kids Voting 
Steering Committee and serves as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 909.
  I commend Douglass Cooper for his exceptional service and his 
unending dedication to his students and community. He is a great role 
model for our young people in school, as well as for his colleagues in 
the teaching profession. Ohio is honored to have him as a 
representative this year for teachers all over our State.

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