Her name could not be more fitting, because Summer Cooper brings sunshine wherever she goes, and she gets plenty of opportunities to shine. Called the “face of Platt,” the school secretary serves on the front line where she is always willing to help.
“You want a visit to a school to be welcoming. Mrs. Cooper is the first person you encounter as you enter Platt Elementary,” explained Kim Shilling. “She has a perpetual smile on her face and always makes visitors feel welcome. She takes on many duties and never complains. We are so lucky to have her taking care of our students and staff.”
Principal Cathy Turner leans heavily on Cooper, saying she does not know how she got so lucky to land her. School Resource Officer Thomas Delrie could not agree more, adding that Cooper is the “go to person for almost anything.”
“She is awesome,” Delrie said, “She always has (a) smile and (is) willing to help. I am the SRO and Summer has helped me many times with issues that are not her duty. I have watched her care for sick students or just (give) a hug to a student having a bad day. I haven’t seen anything she can’t do.”
Most educators will tell you that the school secretary is the glue that holds everything together and that could not be more true when it comes to Cooper. So, what does a ‘typical’ day look like for her in that role?
“Platt is my second home and I want everyone who walks in the door to feel welcome and loved! I love every single thing about my job.” Cooper went on further to elaborate, saying “My role is not only enrolling/unenrolling students and bookkeeping. I greet parents, order lunches, organize fundraisers, and seek out sponsorships for different clubs and activities.”
But wait, there’s more.
“I am medication/diabetes trained for students who need it. Some things that I do are help kiddos with wiggly teeth, hang out with kids who need extra love, fix earrings, repair glasses and wipe tears. One time, I had to write the Tooth Fairy a letter when a student lost a tooth on the playground! That kiddo was so worried the Tooth Fairy wouldn’t come if she didn’t have the tooth to put under her pillow.”
Yes, that is all in a day’s work as an elementary school secretary, and Cooper manages all of it and more.
“She is the sweetest person ever!” Trisha Knowles added. “She is helpful and extends grace to all who may have questions or concerns about anything school related. She has assumed the responsibility of becoming our bookkeeper in addition to her regular secretarial duties. She always takes time to make people feel valued and heard. She is confidential and can always be trusted with important information. I could go on and on why she deserves to be recognized as Bossier’s Gold Star winner.”
Cooper is also humble and quick to celebrate others, but during a recent school assembly it was her turn to be the one in the spotlight. She was visibly stunned when the student body and faculty chanted her name as the December winner of Bossier Schools’ Gold Star employee award.
“When I came to Platt so many years ago, I made it my mission to make sure every child, teacher, parent and co-worker knows they are important and loved,” Cooper reflected. “I am so unbelievably overwhelmed with all the kind things that people have said. I am so thankful for each person that I work with and the parents who trust us with their children. Just being here is such a blessing and I appreciate every single moment that I am able to spend with my Platt family! I just want to thank everyone for allowing me to love them. It is my greatest joy!”
Editor’s note: Know someone who works for Bossier Schools that is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond? Nominate them for the Gold Star award, proudly sponsored for the 12th year by Bossier Federal Credit Union. Visit https://bit.ly/3MOZSRY to tell what sets them apart and be watching for our next Gold Star surprise.