John Wayne Cooper

John Wayne Cooper, age 61, of Greensboro, GA, died Thursday, July 26, 2007 at Putnam General Hospital in Eatonton, GA. Born on January 18, 1946 in Queens County, New York, he was the son of the late John Howard Cooper and Mildred Margaret Haemer Cooper. He graduated from Guilderland Central High School and went onto earn his BS from SUNY/ Cortland, his MS from Syracuse University and his Ed.D from SUNY/Albany. John was inducted into the athletic Hall of Fame at SUNY/Cortland. During his career, John was a high school principal at Wayne Central Schools, Ontario, NY; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Canandaigua Greater Schools District and Superintendent at Hilton School District. After retiring, he continued to consult with the Charter Schools in both Buffalo and Syracuse. His last and most exciting education challenge was to be the Founding Headmaster and start from ground zero creating the new Redeemer Episcopal Academy in Greensboro, GA

John left footprints in every school and in every administrative class he taught at SUNY/ Brockport. He was admired by his colleagues, his teaching staff and the young teachers and students he so dearly loved to work with. He worked in the South Buffalo Charter School and one of his staff wrote his college paper about him.

This is an excerpt from one of John''s young teacher who was leaving teaching to earn his administrative degree: Steven Graser writes: I became an educator to make an impact on as many children''s lives as I possible can. The fact that I was a child in need and can barely remember any of my school administrators disturbs me. I have learned plenty from the various supervisors and administrators that I''ve worked for the last eight years, but it wasn''t until two years ago that I came into contact with a school administrator who has made a real impact on students and inspires staff who work with students. Dr. John Cooper was appointed to the position of educational consultant at the South Buffalo Charter School, Buffalo, NY. When he presented himself to the staff, he disclosed his professional history that included thirty plus years in various administrative roles including superintendent of schools. I immediately questioned (to myself) why would this man drive two hours to our little school several times a week when he should/could be retired and on a golf course or a beach. Dr. Cooper told us that it was his calling in life to impact as many children as possible. I connected to this philosophy, but I was a bit skeptical as to how he was going to contribute. My skepticism soon changed to admiration and respect. I''ve learned so much from Dr. Cooper. He has guided and taught me many technical aspects of being an educator including curriculum writing and instructional strategies, but what I most admire is his presence and how he interacts with people. Dr. Cooper''s hired role is to manage, develop, and implement structure and programming of the school, but he often goes beyond his required duties. He is not required to work directly with the children, but often makes himself available when he suggests learning opportunities in small groups. All the students in our school know who he is and many request opportunities to work with him. I''ve yet to witness him turn down a staff member or a student who has requested his help. He not only states that he wants to make an impact, but he also makes sure he changes lives one child at a time. Dr. Cooper is one of my heroes. He has made an impact on my life; therefore, his fingerprints will be all over any child I work with the rest of my career. I believe by achieving an administration certification I too will have the opportunity to be someone''s hero.

John Cooper was on the Executive Council for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). He was President of New York State ASCD; on the Board of Directors for the Coordination of the Curriculum Handbook Network; Assessor for the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Principals Assessment Model, Editor and member of The PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR, published by the Alabama Ass. of Teacher educators at Auburn University. He was a video presenter for Canter and Associates on Curriculum Instruction and Assessment, recording secretary for the Monroe County Council of Superintendents. Coordinator and organizer for seminar leaders for I/D/E/A Fellows Program at Claremont Mc Kenna College, Claremont, CA., Trainer for the Madeline Hunter Effective Teaching and Clinical Supervision Models, Presenter at NYS AGATE conference, Presenter for Marketing the Library, New Scope and Sequence; Thinking in Critical, NY Library Associate, Keynote speaker for Changing Your Role in Education; The Future is Now. He was a moderator for Perspectives Curriculum Development and Implantation at Syracuse University. Dr. Cooper published and co authored numerous articles and was nominated by the Boards of Education and Community for State and National Awards. He was awarded "In Honor of Excellence in Education, NY State Secondary School Principal of the Year, 1986, a Library Service Award for School Administrators. His students as James A Beneway High School dedicated their yearbook to him, and Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES School Library awarded him "Administrator of the Year. John was proud to be a member of the Episcopal Redeemer Church and fulfill the vision of bringing a World Class Christian School to the Greensboro community.

In addition to his wife of 37 years, Stephanie Barton Cooper, of Canandaigua, NY, and Greensboro, GA, he is survived by a daughter, Tara Cooper Davidson and husband Gene of Alpharetta, GA; a son, John K. Cooper and wife Cynthia of Chattanooga, TN; a sister, Elaine Bennett and husband Bill of Jonesboro, TN; two grandsons, Cooper Russell Davidson and Zachary Cooper; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro with The Reverend D. Geoffrey Taylor officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Mike Battaglia, Bob Cowles, Jay Pullin, Jim Fleece, Gene Davidson, Brad Morgan, Edward Wiseman and Steve Josh. A reception will follow in the church activities center. The family will receive friends Monday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the historic Hall-Thomas House next door to the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Dr. John Cooper, Headmaster Scholarship Fund, Redeemer Episcopal Academy, 1060 Salem Walk Drive, Suite 1A, Greensboro, GA 30642. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register

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