2011-07-14 Bloomfield, Genoa City, Pell Lake

A sad goodbye for Brookwood teacher

After 41 years, Duros-Cooper reluctantly retires




	Cooper

July 13, 2011 | 08:29 AM

Genoa City — Not anybody can be a teacher, said Gerri Duros-Cooper.

She should know. For the last 41 years, Duros-Cooper has taught in the Brookwood School District.

But this school year was the last for this eighth-grade English and literature teacher. Duros-Cooper is the third longtime Brookwood teacher to retire this year. She joins the ranks of third-grade teacher Vicki Fort, who taught there 37 years, and physical education teacher Cyndy Lent, who taught for 35. Those teachers also retired.

They were more open about it. Duros-Cooper said this was a "last-minute decision" for her, one which herself and fellow staff members kept under wraps. Only recently did word spread about her retirement, and Duros-Cooper said she has received several e-mails about it since the news broke.

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Why try to keep it quiet? Duros-Cooper said it's a difficult decision, one she still is struggling to accept. She said she's not ready.

"I never called it a job," Duros-Cooper said about teaching. "It's like a professional golfer being paid to golf. I was happy teaching."

She said it wasn't a situation where the School Board told her to retire. However, given the state's current budget crisis, she wasn't sure she could continue doing what she loves.

"I need to protect my financial future," Duros-Cooper said, choking back tears. "So many other Wisconsin educators have to make this same decision."

As for that future, when asked what she wants to do, her eyes dried.

"I definitely want to sub at Brookwood," Duros-Cooper said.

Born to teach

Growing up in Genoa City with six brothers and two sisters, she said she always was the one in charge, the one helping her siblings with their homework.

She attended Brookwood prior to Badger High School, then went on to Racine-Kenosha Teachers College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Then, for her master's degree, Duros-Cooper attended Aurora University.

It was in college when Duros-Cooper decided what she should do with the rest of her life. Specifically, it was watching a teacher in action.

She said the teacher was Mrs. Baer, but she didn't remember her first name because "that was in the days when teachers didn't have first names."

"She could just stand in front of the class, not say a word and command everyone's attention," Duros-Cooper said. "I remember thinking I could do that — and I have."

But Brookwood remained close to her heart. Duros-Cooper said she had difficulty adjusting to Badger because she was "homesick" for Brookwood.

"It's just a family," she said. "Even in grade school, I never had a teacher I didn't like."

So, at the age of 24, an opportunity presented itself. Duros-Cooper returned to Brookwood as a fourth-grade teacher, joining the ranks of several teachers who once taught her as a child.

"So many of these teachers were still there, so the difficult thing for me was calling them by their first names," she said.

Her first day in front of a classroom was as a fourth-grade teacher.

Duros-Cooper recalls being "a little overwhelmed because of the paperwork I knew I'd have," but "totally confident."

The confidence she brought likely stems from more than just a love of children.

"I really think that I have a true understanding of children," Duros-Cooper said. "Like when they have problems, you may know that these problems will eventually go away, but for that moment, you really have to … look at it through their eyes."

She discussed several reasons why teaching isn't a "job" to her.

Duros-Cooper said she likes being a role model.

"It keeps me on my toes," she said.

Duros-Cooper also said she likes gaining a pupil's respect.

"I don't think a teacher should demand it," she said. "I think they have to earn it."

A teacher must admit when they're wrong and realize they never stop learning — even if it's from their students.

Duros-Cooper said probably the biggest changes at Brookwood is one that likely has affected any longtime teacher. But the children were there to help her along the way.

"Going from the chalkboard to the white board to the SMART Board, it was a challenge for someone like me, who didn't grow up today, knowing all the games and things they have today," she said. "They know so much about the ins and outs of things like YouTube."

However, she said probably the most important thing a teacher must do is trust their students. At the same time, while admitting she likes slogans, she said the sign in front of her classroom was a friendly reminder of who's in charge: "This room is run by COOPERation."

"Kids want to be trusted," Duros-Cooper said. "But I let them know when I don't."

It's not easy to be a teacher, she said, but it keeps her young — among other things.

"I love the fact that teaching sort of gives you an excuse to be eccentric," Duros-Cooper said. "Teachers are in their own world. We kind of want to grow up, then we kind of don't want to grow up because we're with kids all day."

Teacher Heaven

So why is teaching not for everybody?

Why does Duros-Cooper say it's not easy?

She said there are several challenges. No two days are alike, but working with children requires emotional strength.

"Not everybody always has a good day," Duros-Cooper said.

There's the challenge of providing a mentally safe learning environment, and the challenge relating to why a teacher is there in the first place — to shape lives.

"Did I make a difference today? Is someone taking what they learned here and going to use it in everyday life? These are the questions I ask myself every day," Duros-Cooper said.

Then there's the connections a teacher forges with her students.

"You become emotionally attached to these kids," she said. "It's a great joy and a great challenge. It's like being a Mommy."

But she said the best part of teaching is meeting these challenges.

"And being with the kids," Duros-Cooper said. "Their different personalities, the questions they ask, trying to come with all these different ways to teach one thing … I like being challenged like that."

Although she said teaching also gives her a chance to be "weird," there's a level of comfort she doesn't receive anywhere else.

"I'm much more relaxed in front of my class than in front of my family," Duros-Cooper said.

All this is why she said it's difficult to leave.

"I have been so involved in school," she said. "I tell everybody teaching at Brookwood is like I'd died and went to Teacher Heaven."

As for the children in her last class, she offered this advice.

"I just don't want kids to not stop and smell the roses once in a while," Duros-Cooper said. "Sometimes, the old-fashioned way of doing things is OK."

Feedback

Money sucker
July 14, 2011 | 09:12 AM

Yeah, she retires with all the benefits at 70 percent of her annual pay as a pension, goes back to sub at about $110 a day and ends up making more as a part time sub than she did as a full time teacher. Protecting her financial future, while the public continues to take it in the chute.

Who Ya Crappin
North Como
Sad Sad Day
July 14, 2011 | 12:49 PM

Gerri was and still is a wonderful teacher. She will be missed by the entire Genoa City Community, in addition to the Brookwood School District. For someone to make judgements about a person based entirely on the political upheaval in our state is sad. For those that know Gerri, it was a very hard decision, one that did not come easily. She will continue to me my role model for teaching and I will always look up to her as one of the best teachers that I have had the pleasure to work with. Best wishes Gerri! Brookwood loves you!!

Brookwood Backer
Genoa City
TO "NORTH COMO"
July 14, 2011 | 05:22 PM

YOU SIR OR MADAM ARE JUST PLAIN IGNORANT AND/OR MEAN SPIRITED AND I CAN ONLY SAY THAT IT IS OBVIOUS FROM YOUR COMMENTS THAT YOU COULD HAVE BENEFITTED FROM A TEACHER IN YOU LIFE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP YOU BE MORE OPEN-MINDED AND REASONABLE!

John Cooper
Genoa City
TO "NORTH COMO"
July 14, 2011 | 05:22 PM

YOU SIR OR MADAM ARE JUST PLAIN IGNORANT AND/OR MEAN SPIRITED AND I CAN ONLY SAY THAT IT IS OBVIOUS FROM YOUR COMMENTS THAT YOU COULD HAVE BENEFITTED FROM A TEACHER IN YOU LIFE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP YOU BE MORE OPEN-MINDED AND REASONABLE!

John Cooper
Genoa City
North Como Hypocrite
July 14, 2011 | 05:57 PM

Dear "Who Ya Crappin,"

It's fortunate for the GOP that they have people such as yourself among their supporters... People who will wave the American flag and scream "Don't tread on me!" when someone DARES to suggest that billionaires may have to give up their tax breaks in a time of financial crisis. You do this while simultaneously trashing and devaluing the people who have dedicated their lives (in this case 41 years!) to educating the children of Wisconsin. It's sad that someone can be so blindly loyal to filthy-rich opportunists such as the Koch Brothers yet so ardent in his opinion that the very people who help raise our children are nothing more than "money suckers." Please examine yourself and your priorities. That is all.

Seriously... try thinking.
Chicago, IL
Seriously?
July 14, 2011 | 07:45 PM

"People who will wave the American flag and scream "Don't tread on me!" when someone DARES to suggest that billionaires may have to give up their tax breaks in a time of financial crisis."

Oh, you mean give up on keeping their OWN money? If you want to redo the system to make the rates lower and eliminate loopholes, that's fine. I wonder what your stance is on people freeloading off the system by taking advantage of money that's NOT THEIRS?

"It's sad that someone can be so blindly loyal to filthy-rich opportunists such as the Koch Brothers yet so ardent in his opinion that the very people who help raise our children are nothing more than "money suckers.""

Feel the same way about George Soros? I bet not. Nice Koch Brothers reference. Just what set of talking points did you get that from?

Enough Already
Lake Geneva
Re: Enough Already
July 14, 2011 | 10:36 PM

You seem to be implying that the Koch Brothers' money is "theirs" but the money a teacher or public employee earns by years of hard work is somehow "not theirs." I guess it's much more noble to run a major corporation and make millions (or billions) than it is to live your entire life on a moderate salary and then have the nerve to expect medical and dental coverage. But hey, you're right... Everyone should be able to keep all their money. Let's just eliminate taxes altogether, shall we? Let's see how that works out. I was sick of drinking clean water and driving on paved roads anyway. And to answer your question, of course the same thing applies to George Soros. He's filthy rich too, so why on Earth would I think he should he be excused from a 3% upper-class tax hike? What a silly question. And by "freeloaders," I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not talking about educators (particularly one who has been a top-flight educator for 41 years). I'm assuming you're referring to people who abuse the welfare system, false disability payments, bogus lawsuits, etc. If this is the case, then... well... I'm opposed to fraud. I'm also opposed to kicking old people in the shins and biting the heads off kittens, but what does this have to do with whether or not this lady is a dedicated public servant or just an evil greedy "money sucker" as the genius at the bottom of this thread believes.

Seriously... try thinking.
Chicago, IL
I'm so tired
July 15, 2011 | 07:07 AM

of posts like the one from North Como about teachers ... until Walker, we never heard any bashing of educators for the jobs they do. Now it's a daily occurrence ... this lady, whom I've never met, gave 41 years of her life to teaching and educating kids. How many more years should she have taught North Como until she had "earned" a pension and a wonderful retirement? As a future hopeful educator, I have no problems with having to pay into my pension and my health, but I'm so sick and tired of all the teacher bashing. And it all goes to Walker. He drove a wedge right in the middle of this state instead of being a leader and bringing us together to fix the problems. I'm also tired of hearing from people who tell me they have to pay into their health and their pension. Well, you know what? Teachers for many many years took a lesser salary to get those benefits. Everyone chooses their profession, and with every profession comes different perks and different challenges. I'd like to see North Como last 41 days let alone 41 years in a classroom and then he/she would be singing a different tune. Congrats to Mrs. Cooper. You've earned the right to retire and tackle the next challenge in your life. Not everyone is as blind as North Como!

Dan
Lake Geneva
Again, Seriously....
July 15, 2011 | 07:23 AM

Please show me where I referred to the teacher in any way. I didn't. I was replying to your assertion that we should simply follow the standard left wing answer to anything, raise taxes and the other assertion that those of us who believe in cutting spending are nothing more that "Koch Brother Loyalists". The point about George Soros about raising his taxes as it was pointing out the hypocrisy of accusing the Koch Brothers of being political opportunists for doing the SAME THINGS Soros does. Only difference is Soros seems to be more in your political camp.

Please spare us the demagoguery about "clean water" as well. The US took in about $2.1 trillion in revenue last year. There ISN'T A REVENUE PROBLEM, we spend too much money on useless programs, fraud, and abuse. Just like everyone of us does in our personal life, the government needs to prioritize spending and make budget cuts to LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS, just like you do, just like I do.

Say what you will, Wisconsin made tough choices and now has a balanced budget. People can throw hissy fits about how it was done, but the bottom line is that IT WAS DONE. We could have raised taxes and STILL be stuck with about $8.3 billion in debts and unpaid liabilities, but then we'd be Illinois.....

Enough Already
Lake Geneva
So Dan....
July 15, 2011 | 07:35 AM

Now that you've posted your bash/blame Scott Walker rant, perhaps you'd like to tell us how YOU would have balanced the budget?

You're right, people do make choices about careers. Just as people in the private sector are left to the decisions of their bosses, public sector employees are subject to the decisions of the taxpayers. This time, the taxpayers decided that they'd had enough of the unions running roughshod over them, stood up and said no more. The choice is the same for both public and private sector, if you don't like your job, you're free to seek employment elsewhere....

Enough Already
Lake Geneva
Enough already ...
July 15, 2011 | 08:51 AM

Did you read the part where I said I have no issue with paying into health and pension or did you just choose to ignore that? My issue with Walker is this: He could have stood before the entire state and said we have a huge budget problem that needs to be dealt with, and in order to make that happen ALL public employees will need to start contributing to their health and pension. Instead, when he said ALL public employees, he meant everyone except police and fire (now before you take this as bashing those people, that is not my point ... but they are public employees too, are they not?) ... so instead of bringing everyone together in an "all for one and one for all" feeling, he put the target squarely on the backs of the teachers and other public employees. When have you ever seen so many negative things said about education as we have since January? Did we have a budget issue? Yes. Did it need to be solved? Yes. Am I in agreement that a health and pension contribution by ALL public employees is fair? Yes. Had he included everyone in the fight instead of singling out everybody else, I would be singing a different tune. Walker himself even admitted he should have done things differently.

I'll hold out final judgment until I start seeing all these great jobs that Walker is promising as well ... will they be $8 an hour jobs or will they be real careers? As it stands right now I have very little chance of ever getting a teaching job in this state because of the massive cuts to the school district budgets and all the layoffs. I hold two college degrees and have to fight, kick and scratch to keep my head above water, but I do it every single day because that's what has to be done. I've lived here all my life and there's a very good chance I will have to move. These cuts are going to do great harm to one of the best public education systems in the nation. I'm not going to get into MPS other than saying I do agree that throwing more money at a failing system isn't the answer, but I will counter that with saying do you honestly think class sizes of 35, 40, 45 kids in the inner city is going to help the situation? Shouldn't there be other places we can look to cut rather than decimating education in this state? Shouldn't we be trying to find ways to help people rather than harm them? I'm of the belief that if someone needs the system to help them out, then it should be there. Of course, there are those who take advantage of the system, and you're going to have that everywhere. But there are those who need the help ... where will they get it now? I wish I knew.

My original point until you got me off on this tangent was the post by North Como that claims this teacher is just milking from the public teat like all those other "overpaid" educators. How after 41 years of dedicated service she's not entitled to a pension is beyond me. She's earned it and she deserves it in my book. That's an awful lot of years of molding young minds, which used to be a profession that was looked upon with pride and honor ... sadly, it really isn't any more, and that brings my post full circle. It goes back to leadership ... do leaders bring people together or tear them apart? You have to be pretty naive not to see what's been happening in Wisconsin the last seven months.

Dan
Lake Geneva
Re: Enough Already
July 15, 2011 | 12:59 PM

I DON'T think you were directly referring to this teacher. That's why I said I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. And I would understand (and agree with) your point about hypocrisy if I had ever said anything at all about George Soros in my original post. YOU brought up George Soros and I agreed that he should be treated no better or worse than the Koch Bros. I think you're trying to set me up as some Olbermann-watching straw man and I'm sure you'll understand if I ask you to keep the debate more honest than that. An honest debate would entail admitting what the vast majority of economists know, which is that we need to cut spending AND raise revenue. Now if the spending cuts involve paying a bit more into healthcare and pensions, fine. The public workers of WI agreed to that rather quickly. But to use them as scapegoats for the State's problems and to classify the stripping of their collective bargaining rights as simply "tough choices" is quite a stretch. The union-busting, specifically, is a clear and obvious political power grab and it does nothing for WI except damage an excellent educational system. Speaking of budgets, my Dad used to quote to me, "Don't TELL me what you value. Show me your budget." I can't think of any clearer example of absurd priorities (and I'm not referring to YOUR priorities, personally) than protecting tax cuts for billionaires while blathering on and on about how someone making between 30 or 40 grand needs to "sacrifice." Dan is right. This teacher deserves to retire on a livable income and decent healthcare. Maybe those in the private sector (myself included) should be demanding our own decent treatment rather than trying to make everyone else's situation as crappy as ours.

Seriously... try thinking
Chicago, IL
(2) Re: Enough Already
July 15, 2011 | 01:04 PM

... and as to your assertion that the people of WI "stood up and said no more to unions blah blah blah," the numbers don't support that assertion at all. The people of WI, in poll after poll, OPPOSED Scott Walker's measures and supported the bargaining rights of unions. We're entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own facts.

Seriously... try thinking
Chicago, IL
Simply The Best
July 15, 2011 | 02:31 PM

I had the pleasure of having dinner with Gerri Duros-Cooper and a group of my classmates from Brookwood class of 1983 this past fall. I can only say that I am still in awe of her accomplishments. She was one of the best teachers I have ever had. I am sorry that she has to retire as I feel she still has many more years of education left to give. While saddened by this news, I am rejoicful in the knowledge that I was fortunate enough to have had her as my teacher. She was and will always be fondly respected in my heart. Thank you for 41 wonderful years of service to the community Mrs. Cooper.

Bill Ropke
Manawa
Re: Bill Ropke
July 15, 2011 | 07:55 PM

Bill Ropke very effectively reminds everyone in this thread (myself included) what's most important about this article. THANK YOU, Ms. Duros-Cooper for 41 years of tireless dedication to the development of young minds. You've spent your life trying to make the world a bit better of a place. I cannot think of a more noble way to spend a career. I'm sure we can all, regardless of political stripes, agree on that.

Seriously...
Chicago, IL
Try some research
July 16, 2011 | 01:50 AM

"As it stands right now I have very little chance of ever getting a teaching job in this state because of the massive cuts to the school district budgets and all the layoffs. "

Sorry, but that's a flat out lie. Google Wisconsin Schools benefiting from the new budget and you'll see many examples of school districts having MORE money now thanks to the budget. If the schools chose not to take advantage of the new rules and simply extended contracts, blame them, not Governor Walker.

As for your assertion that ALL public employees needed to be part of the budget deal, I completely disagree. Police and Fire put their LIVES ON THE LINE everyday and are essential to the public safety. I have no problem with excluding them. The power grip the unions had on this state needed to be broken and it was. The "polls" might not indicate it now, but as soon as people come to realize that services will remain the same and their taxes didn't go up, those numbers will change.

Enough Already
Lake Geneva
Speaking of try thinking...
July 16, 2011 | 02:06 AM

Let's use Illinois as an example. They did the typical left wing action and raised taxes. Sure, it makes for a great talking point for the base, but let's look at REALITY. The state STILL has a massive deficit several prominent coprorations (Caterpillar and Sears for example) are threatening to move. Don't think for a minute that Governors Walker, Daniels, and Branstad weren't making calls saying "we'd love to have you here". The end result of pandering to the big government "tax the rich" crowd is that Illinois is faced with giving EVEN MORE CORPORATE TAX BREAKS or risk losing jobs and revenue. Doesn't make for a good economic climate does it? Any wonder why the southwest is creating so many jobs? Might have something to do with little to no income tax, low property tax, and right to work states. There's a lesson to be learned from that...

Enough Already
Lake Geneva
Congratulations!
July 16, 2011 | 11:31 AM

Thank you Mrs. Cooper for dedicating yourself to our community for 41 years! I have a hard time putting up with kids for an afternoon, how you did it for 41 years I'll never know. :) Would have like to see you end your career on your terms, but enjoy retirement none the less, you earned it! Brookwood has lost one of the best!

Eric Ropke - Class of 1987
Janesville, WI
Job Well Done!
July 19, 2011 | 10:46 AM

Thank you Gerri Duros-Cooper for your tireless years of dedication! I was blessed to have been in her class in 5th grade and again in 8th grade. She made a difference in my life. In my opinion, she is the epitome of what a teacher should be and I'm proud to be a product of her efforts! Congratulations and all the best!

Linda Annen Nix
Port Washington, WI
Congrats Ms. Cooper!
July 19, 2011 | 03:19 PM

Good 4 U-You Made it! LOL-Putting up with That many kids over that many Yrs is a Challange in itself.. Although The Kids in our District are alot Nicer & easier to deal with than in many other Big Cities. But, none the less, you made it. ! You More than Did your Job and got paid for it and I hope your enjoy your Retirement you deserve..

As for The Political issue about Unions , Teachers pay, etc?
-If they Paid into their Retirement as others Do in their #401k/Pensions
-Paid into for their Own Health Care as all others do
-Then I don't have a problem with that..
- Many did so via Getting in a form a Tax Free Benefits in lieu of Getting Paid More Income and then paying for it, but they took a Lower Yearly Income in return..
-I was Self Employed most of my life and for most of those Yrs My Health Ins. was paid with AFTER tax income and Not tax deductable. While those working for someone, was getting it w/o paying any income tax for that benefit and that to me was wrong . I think Any and All Benefits are a form of being paid to work and should be Taxed 1st and then go from there..
-We pay our Utility bills that we can't live without but aren't Tax Exempt/Or Deductable
-We pay for our Food that we cannot live withuot and that isn't tax exempt or tax deductable
-So why should any employee benefits be Tax Exempt or Tax Deductable?
-For most Yrs upto the 21st Century, Health care Plan Premiums were a Minor Cost, but not since 2000 fwd.. Employers paying the ave of $15,000 Premiums for a Group Health Family plan and $5,000 yr for a Single and NOBODY IS PAYING ANY TAXES on getting it! That's an ave of over $2,000 a Yr in Lost Payroll Taxes that everyone else has to make up for!
-If one PAYS for their Way is one thing and then they Deserve what they can Get.. Most others, NOT having a Union or someone to speak up for them are Just JEALOUS and ENVIOUS. Why Nobody Complained all these Yrs? Simple> The vast majority were On the Payroll And Recieving it!
You wouldn't have heard Me Say, No thanks ! And I will just take my $/Pension and Benefits and Just go Live somewhere else if I have too and leave this State Broke and Busted, In the Dust as I drive away in my Motor Home..! That's what I did when I left Illinois and will do if have too here..
At the rate your State Taxes are going? It looks like It's either Arizona or Nevada in the Future.

And you Wisconsiites are Killing the Goos Laying the Golden Eggs, not to mention keeping Wi. taxes Too high to make it worthwhile for Companies to come to Wi. , let alone Not being a 'Right to Work State" or Choose wether want a Union or not. There are Plenty of State and Federal Laws now that Mot don't need unions anymore, they were needed in the early 20th century , but not that much anymore.. Getting Companies to pay HS educated level People , College Level Incomes is just plain Wrong. And your supposed to be paid more for staying on the Job Longer? Why? Go ahead an Quit! You stayed on the job longer because you either didn't want to or couldn't get anything better!

And if a College Grad can make the ave of $50k yr now and just with 3% Inflation, end up making $100k yr after 24 yrs is Justified. If she started at $25k yr 40 yrs ago ( 1970) she should be making At Least $66k yr now ( 166% ) In one form or another.. 70% of that for a Pension? = $46k yr and do Teahers Get SS? I don't think so, do they? And Good Luck trying to Retire on 70% of what you used to make, Unless your Married and they have enough comming in to make it up.. and If she does? More Power to Her, that's to HER Benefit..for putting up with a Husband for that long.. and He's a Lucky Guy having a Wife still bringing in that kind of Money as well! He can then afford to Go Play Golf and Boating and Fishing ! Just like God Intended us Men to do!
lol ;-)

Retired in
LG of course
Thank-you Mrs Cooper
July 20, 2011 | 11:03 AM

I want to take the time to thank this wonderful educator for all she did for so many years for all the students of Genoa City. She taught all three of my children one of which was accepted and earned a degree from USC. I truly believe that it was in part a credit to her that my children recieved such valuable educational tools and were able to go into the world prepared, and had a love of learning. She will be truly missed and children in Genoa City will have to do without a truly gifted and talented educator. I hope she can sub as long as she is able our community can only benefit from this very special woman.

cheri borowiec
Genoa City
You will be missed, Gerri!
July 31, 2011 | 08:22 PM

I had the honor of working with Gerri Cooper for the past 20 years. Gerri's dedication to her job, the students, families and Genoa City is unparalleled. This article was not a political statement, and it's sad to see people on both sides of the issue turn it into a political debate taking away from an amazingly dedicated teacher.

You will be missed!

Susan Flood
Delavan

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