After three decades at Walter Johnson, Precalculus and 2-year Algebra 1 teacher Tricia Cooper has decided to officially hang up her lanyard and retire from teaching. Cooper was a staple in the Math Department throughout her time at WJ and will be retiring at the end of this school year.
After working for over double the national teacher career length of 14 and a half years, this retirement comes much deserved to the Pennsylvania native. Her decision to retire came after much thought and consideration.
“I first thought about retiring during the pandemic,” Tricia Cooper said. “I really can’t do the drive anymore, and because it’s been so wonderful for 30 years, I don’t want to go to another school so I’ve decided to just hang it up.”
Throughout her stay on Rock Spring Dr., Cooper has made an impact on thousands of students. From having a stint as the Poms coach to teaching hundreds of students how to use Pythagorean identity, her departure will leave big shoes to fill for the next person to take her spot.
“She was a great teacher and she’s really nice,” former precalculus student junior Corey Dooren said. “I wish her the best of luck in retirement.”
The impact she’s made can be seen all across her classroom. Cooper’s room features decorated walls and signs gifted from students throughout the years, to even a few ceiling tiles.
“I’ve done a lot,” Cooper said. “I’ve coached cheering, I coached poms and all of that was a lot of fun. [My] students have made an impact on me, so I hope somewhere along the line I’ve made a good lasting impact [on them].”
Being at WJ for such a long time, Cooper has seen the school evolve as it’s changed over the years.
“I’m from Western Pennsylvania and it’s not very diverse at all, so I was excited to see the diversity here,” Cooper said. “The first few years were exciting. The math department has always been full of helpful people. It’s great to work at a place that is diverse and over the years it’s gotten much more diverse and very large.”
Even with the end coming near, Cooper’s love for teaching has kept her motivated to continue to teach students.
“Interestingly enough, once I decided that this year would be the year on retiring, it really has been an improvement as far as student interaction,” Cooper said. “I still like being here and helping students. I still love teaching, I’m just moving onto the next chapter.”
The lack of her presence next year will be hard for many staff members and students to get used to.
“She’s one of my besties here so I’ll really miss her and I’ve been on a team with her for nine years,” math teacher Terri Bullock said. “She has the ability to teach the higher level classes as well as working with students who need extra help.”
Cooper will always have a home at WJ and she will take away countless numbers of memories and good thoughts with her.
“I’ll remember the wonderful staff I’ve worked with, so many great students I’ve worked with, and just being able to help struggling students,” Cooper said.
