A Legacy of Teaching Excellence

Barbara Cooney during her years at Kinkaid Middle School

Teacher—the word used to best describe Barbara Cooney. For 38 years, she taught history in the Kinkaid Middle School. Although she is retired now, her students have never forgotten the lessons she taught them.

Barbara shares, "My goal was for students to realize the personal satisfaction and pride that come from meeting a challenge with consistent effort to do your best. Teaching was never about specific content or grades but about setting goals and learning the steps to take to achieve results. If a job or project seems overwhelming at the outset, break it down into steps and work diligently through each step."

A former student, Tommy Lamme ’86, agrees. "She helped me understand the importance of organizing your thoughts and being an active reader and listener. When I succeeded in her class, it gave me great confidence that I could succeed in the face of any challenges in school or life."

Amy Parker Beeson ’98 feels the same way. "She demanded the best out of all of her students, and I really thrived on the challenge of meeting her high expectations. Ms. Cooney is truly one of a kind, and I will always be grateful for the confidence she had in me at a young age. If I had to pick one word to describe her, it is likely tough—but I mean that with the greatest adoration and respect. She wasn't going to accept anything less than her students' best, and, in my case, she certainly got it."

No doubt that her students most remember her infamous note-taking technique. Tommy feels this skill was the most important lesson she taught him. "I have the ability to take notes when somebody is speaking. I may not fold the paper in half (the way we did it in sixth grade), but I have followed her concepts with great success from middle school to high school to college to law school and all the way to where I am now as a general counsel for a large corporation."

Alicia Lee ’98 adds, "Ms. Cooney taught me my note-taking skills, ones which I still use today, whether handwritten or typed. I start my first line with the large concept, indentations underneath for the supporting elements, and then I start a new line when a new concept is brought forward."

Barbara remembers, "From my earliest memories, Kinkaid has been about people. Although it may seem that inclusivity and pluralism are new ideas, Kinkaid has always been welcoming to different people and ideas. It may be trite, but I think Kinkaid has a big heart—and that's what I love most."

Through the years, Barbara has witnessed many changes. "The School has adapted to change without compromising its mission or values. Programs and facilities have expanded to meet current needs, and the result is a gorgeous campus beyond the imagination of early founders. However, growth has not changed the welcoming atmosphere or the heart."

In 2014, to honor Barbara Cooney's legacy of teaching excellence, the School established the Barbara Cooney Teaching Fellowship. It is awarded annually to support a one-year mentored training experience for teachers and coaches who have little or no teaching experience when they begin this program. To date, there have been five Cooney Fellows.

"The Teaching Fellowship is a great personal honor, and my hope is that it encourages dedicated teachers to remain in the profession. I remember with much fondness and appreciation the support I received from established mentors. I applaud Kinkaid for continuing that tradition," Barbara says. "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been a part of Kinkaid. I simply cannot imagine a better place to teach or to learn."

Honor Someone Special to You

You can honor a teacher or other individual who had a special impact on your life with a future gift to The Kinkaid School. Contact Lisa Wood at lisa.wood@kinkaid.org or (713) 243-5023 to learn about your giving options.