In the heart of Columbus City Schools, Principal Yolanda Cooper of Woodcrest Elementary instills a sense of "family" into the schooling fabric. Cooper, whose inaugural year coincided with the return to in-person learning post-COVID, dedicated herself to fostering relationships within the school's walls and with the surrounding community. According to a Columbus City Schools release, Cooper prides herself on servant leadership and placing a high value on everyone associated with the school.
This dedication manifests in the daily greetings students receive from staff and a school calendar teeming with events designed to cultivate enthusiasm for learning. "I wanted them to know that, as a leader, I was there for you," Cooper told Columbus City Schools. Such efforts are part of Cooper's broader strategy to ensure each student feels the warm embrace of the "Woodcrest family" every day they attend school. Despite an atypical journey to the principal role, involving a degree in sociology and various positions from working with an anti-drug coalition to guiding university students, Cooper applies a distinct pedagogical vision to elementary education.
Central to Cooper’s educational strategy is a robust focus on reading. Woodcrest Elementary has implemented practices where students are seen with books in hand during transitions, reflecting Cooper's belief that reading is the cornerstone of future success. "Reading is what will help our students have a successful life," she said in the Columbus City Schools statement. Cooper's multifaceted experience across all levels of education provides her with an insightful perspective on the pivotal nature of the primary educational stage.
Another critical component of Cooper's philosophy is community engagement. She actively seeks local business partnerships and finds ways to intertwine the students' educational experience with the pulse of the surrounding community. Cooperation with entities like the Pine Hills Civic Association, which donates Christmas gifts to students and shows appreciation for teachers, exemplifies Cooper’s vision. "Wherever your school sits, you should be connected to the community that surrounds it," according to Columbus City Schools, Cooper asserts, painting a picture of symbiotic support between the school and its neighborhood.
Cooper's efforts are especially highlighted during National Principals Month when Columbus City Schools lauds her and other principals for their devotion to elevating scholars. Nichelle Bigsbee, president of the Pine Hills Civic Association and the Woodcrest Parent-Teacher Organization, lauds Cooper as an asset to the school and the community. "She makes everyone feel important," Bigsbee remarked, echoing the sentiments of a grateful community recognizing the wide-reaching impacts of Principal Cooper’s leadership.
