Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408170055
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Imagine Shirley Cook, fireball in the Pulaski County School Board administrative offices, calmly seated before an idyllic setting near her home on Claytor Lake creating a watercolor.
Yes, this is the same Shirley Cook who directed the planning for the school system's Critical Years-Critical Skills Primary Program that starts this year, helped redesign attendance boundaries for three Pulaski town schools after the closing of Jefferson Elementary, spent the past three years leading the revising of basic curriculum objectives for all grades and content areas that kick in this year....
At age 57, Cook is retiring Aug. 31 as the school system's director of curriculum and instruction.
She has spent 27 years in the education profession, starting as an elementary teacher for four years in Mecklenberg County, W.Va., and two in Roanoke County, and a year teaching high school in Tazewell County.
For the past 20 years, she has worked in Pulaski County - teaching for two years at Riverlawn Elementary, teaching in a state developmental skills program at Dublin and Riverlawn Elementary schools, serving as instructional coordinator at Dublin Middle School for 61/2 years, and serving for seven years as elementary supervisor for nine elementary schools and the sixth grades at two middle schools.
She was appointed to her current job three years ago.
``She's been one of the key components of our organization, if not the key component, as far as instruction goes,'' said Superintendent Bill Asbury. He remembers her bringing some new article or research piece into his office practically every day, saying it was something the school system should look into.
``The decision I made to retire at this time is a very personal decision, based entirely upon my strong family values and commitments to my mother and other immediate family members. The recent loss of a valued, special mother-in-law caused me to quickly examine and establish priorities in my life,'' she said in her letter of resignation to Asbury.
``My sole reason for entering the educational profession was to help students acquire as much knowledge as possible, become responsible for their actions, have respect for others and themselves, and to know the value of hard work. If I have been able to succeed in this endeavor, the 27 years have been worthwhile. My years as a classroom teacher, regardless of the ages of the students, were exceptionally rewarding years for me,'' she said.
``The most troublesome aspect of my work as an educator has occurred during the past few years, as the family unit has so drastically changed in our society,'' Cook said.
``Those students who have stability in their homes are able to come to school ready and eager to learn, while others are at such a disadvantage if the support and nurturing are not present in their lives at an early age,'' she said. ``Hopefully, in the future, a change will occur so all youngsters will have a good beginning in life.''
That has been one of the emphases of the Critical Years-Critical Skills program on which she has spent so much time. It is aimed at giving children a positive start in school and making sure they master the skills they will need in the higher grades and in life.
Cook said she planned to travel with her husband, Charles; spend more time with family members;grow flowers; and, yes, get back to her watercolor painting in the Claytor Lake area.
Considering that most of her waking hours for nearly three decades have been spent on the job, she said, ``To think about that suddenly ending is going to be a big adjustment.'' But some of her co-workers say her expression on the job lately has been that of a high school girl unable to suppress a smile when school is about to let out for the summer.
``She still has many, many good years and I think that's what she wants to take advantage of,'' Asbury said when the School Board recognized her with a certificate of service Aug. 11.
Cook's main concern in talking with a reporter about her retirement is that she might leave out someone to whom she wants to express appreciation for help and support, from past and present school boards and officials to teachers, secretaries, custodians, aides, bus drivers and cafeteria workers.
And the School Board has had to reorganize its administrative staff in the wake of her leaving.
by CNB