2002 South Carolina Teacher of the Year
Ms. Young Cooper teaches English and Reading to students in grades nine through eleven at C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy in South Carolina. Ms. Young Cooper has four years of teaching experience.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"Teaching is the most critical service in the nation. Teachers must realize the power in their craft and be willing to customize instruction to meet the varying needs of all children."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I recognize that all children have varying learning styles. Consequently, I utilize various techniques and strategies through technology integration, multi-culturalism, group team and individual approaches and research dimensions."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest teaching accomplishment was being selected as a 2000 Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program participant. Through this program that offers American students the opportunity to learn about Japan, my students created a web page and participated in videoconferencing and e-mail correspondence exchange activities."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"The most critical issue facing educators today is teacher recruitment and retention. In light of the looming teacher shortages we must work passionately to draw talented teachers to this field so talented and capable teachers lead our classrooms and ultimately teach our children. Ways of resolving this issue would be to have in-service teachers actively involved with teacher recruitment/retention initiatives. Strong mentoring programs should be implemented to support and attract teachers."

Inspirational thought:
"Teachers must be merchants of hope for our beautiful garden of students. We must see the beauty in every child."