Christina Cooper, Rock Canyon Elementary/Provo City School District

“I am nominating Christina Cooper because she goes above and beyond when it comes to educating these young children. She shows up very early and stays late quite often to prepare classroom instruction for her students. Ms. Cooper has an incredible “teacher mentality work ethic” (she is very experienced with 15 years as an instructor and a full-time teacher), this is proof of how dedicated she is to her students. She has amazing teacher qualities and characteristics that serve her well as a 3rd Grade Teacher at Rock Canyon Elementary. Christina is compassionate, dedicated, has a heart of gold, is extremely caring, and works hard to ensure her students receive an outstanding education. She has a very positive, uplifting attitude, and always has a smile on her face. She teaches her students the importance of making good choices, being respectful, and kind to others. She does all of this on top of giving them the academic education they so desperately need and deserve.”

“Ms. Cooper takes the time to get to know her students by providing a very uplifting and positive student-teacher relationship with each student. She takes the time to work with those kids who struggle academically. Christina can sense any challenges some students may struggle with, whether it be personal/home life or at school. She “puts her arms around them” and becomes a great role model and mentor for each of them with love, compassion, and concern for their well-being. Great teachers are warm, enthusiastic, have good listening skills, and take the extra time out of their busy schedules for assisting any student with any need. Ms. Cooper does all of this and is extremely great at it!”

“Ms. Cooper has an amazing classroom. As the Behavior Specialist and a retired United States Air Force veteran, I have been in her classroom numerous times. She has had me come and speak to her young 3rd Grade students. The feeling of belonging and heart-warming welcome you get from her classroom environment is absolutely incredible! Her classroom has a “sense of belonging” for everyone, and I know her students can feel that too. Christina embraces all her students and provides a very safe, healthy, fun, positive, and uplifting classroom full of academic instruction, discipline, structure, life lessons, and learning for these young children.”

“I am a witness to the greatness of Christina’s teaching abilities and the educator qualities she puts to use each day as she instructs students. She truly wants to see all her students succeed while on her watch. Ms. Cooper creates a very safe, encouraging, uplifting, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all students that come through her classroom. She is absolutely motivated and an extremely dedicated teacher!”

“Christina has had some students who have struggled with academics, disabilities, structure, transitions, following instructions, and getting along well with others. She goes the “extra mile” to teach, instruct, and mentor these young students with her outstanding qualities and characteristics. Ms. Cooper takes the time to work with each student and their parents; keeping them informed of how things are going at school and academically with their children. She is dedicated, full of selfless service, and is ambitious to help her students in so many ways beyond just academics in the classroom. Christina is an outstanding role model and mentor as well!”

“Ms. Cooper is one who has high expectations! She has great discipline factors instilled in her classroom that helps provide a very positive learning environment for her young students. She watches for situations to arise where she can reenforce rules and expectations for her students here at Rock Canyon. Christina uses these opportunities for a “teaching moment” and “life lesson” for these students. She uses these great moments to redirect her students on what “ROCK” stands for in our elementary school; Responsible, On-Task, Careful, and Kind. It’s always epic to witness!”

“Overall, every single student who walks through her classroom door responds to her and respects her! I firmly believe Christina Cooper truly deserves to be a KSL NewsRadio Teacher Tribute Wall Award recipient and winner for her amazing work in the Provo City School District as a Teacher at Rock Canyon Elementary!”

-Joshua David Smith