Cooper retires after long career

v'Ora Cooper took a moment Monday to pose with some of the members of her final kindergarten class at PES. The students are all now first graders, and were happy to see "Mrs. Vee."

[Click to enlarge]

"I loved every day of it," noted Mrs. Vee. "I got there early and left late. I tried my best to teach them life skills and good manners as well as academics."

Mrs. Vee graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. After student teaching with Julia Winberry and Mary Gordon, she began her career by teaching the fifth grade for two years. She then taught second grade for 15 years and has alternated between first grade and kindergarten the past nine.

"Kindergarten rocks, and I loved all the grades but first grade was my favorite. The kids just learned so much. We wrote stories and had the most fun -- they were so sharp!" she explained.

Cooper also beams when talking about her family. She has been married to Rick Cooper for nearly 41 years and they have two sons. Blaine is married to the former Mia Crowson and they are the parents of Emma, Cole and Molly and reside in Poplar Bluff. Son Jon married Andi Harmon and they have one daughter, Chloe, and live in Jonesboro.

"Rick and I plan on spending time with our grandkids," she added.

Mrs. Vee not only has fond memories of the students at Piggott Elementary, but also of her colleagues. "Good teachers support each other, and I've found that the teachers at PES have done that for years. I've been so lucky to have such good friends at each level that I've taught."

When reminiscing about past students, Cooper noted she has enjoyed watching them grow into fine young men and women. "Most of them tell me they enjoyed being in my class. Some grew up with my own boys and always have something 'shocking' to tell about their behavior that I didn't know --- they're funny to listen to."

In addition to spending time with the grandkids, Cooper wants her retirement to be full and busy. Needing to be a giver and a caretaker, she would like to do volunteer work at school, the hospital and nursing home and at Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she and her husband attend. Travel to the Caribbean and perhaps an Alaskan cruise might also be in the plans.

"A teacher spends eight hours a day five days a week with these kids, and we grow to love them as we do our own," she fondly concluded. "I pray each day for God to watch over and care for our kids -- to keep them from harm and for them to know God's love."

One of Mrs. Vee's favorite quotes hung outside her classroom door for many years and is attributed to American anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

Thanks, Mrs. Vee, for changing the world by educating its children.