Patrick Henry Elementary Principal Cameron Cooper was one of four in Virginia to be selected by Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School Quality for her Continuous School Improvement for Schools.
“All of this is quite an honor,” Cooper told members of the City of Martinsville School Board, “but it’s my dedicated team that I work with and the support that we receive from all over the division, that makes all of this happen.”
She said in a release that Patrick Henry Elementary uses coaching conversations to support teachers by reinforcing personal and instructional strengths while looking at how to tackle challenges.
“By utilizing collaborative planning meetings for discussions, we can pull expertise and ideas from multiple people to overcome challenges, build capacity, and increase student outcomes. One important piece to having effective coaching conversations is knowing your staff and how to support them. Without that relationship, no conversation would be effective,” the release stated.
Cooper was nominated in December by Cary Wright, district coordinator for Martinsville Schools.
“As a district coordinator, I am excited to see Mrs. Cooper in many of the collaborative planning sessions that I attend with the teachers at Patrick Henry,” said Wright. “Her knowledge of the demands of the elementary curriculum as well as knowing the unique personalities of her teachers makes Mrs. Cooper quite an effective leader.”
“Ms. Cooper is truly an instructional leader and works to make certain that all students have equitable access to a rigorous and enriching education in a supportive environment,” said Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Angilee Downing. “She works to ensure that her staff has the support and resources they need to provide this.”
“Ms. Cooper is an excellent professional who cares greatly about her students, families, and staff members,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley. “She is a wonderful model for administrators.”
