Dr. Pat Cooper

Pat Cooper, Ed.D, CEO of the Early Childhood and Family Learning Foundation in New Orleans, LA. During his 10 years as Superintendent in McComb, MS, he spearheaded a longitudinal study related to Coordinated School Health that has brought forth significant documented gains in the academic, social and emotional arenas. He is a nationally recognized consultant and lecturer on systemic education reform and comprehensive school health and inclusion issues, Dr. Cooper's work in Mississippi has resulted in documented gains in student attendance, test scores and teacher productivity as well as reducing dropout, suspension and expulsion rates.

Dr. Cooper has served as a classroom teacher of the emotionally disturbed, principal, university faculty member, and as Assistant State Superintendent in the Louisiana State Department of Education. Prior to becoming superintendent in McComb, Dr. Cooper served four years as Executive Director for the CDC funded National School Health Education Coalition (NaSHEC) in Washington, D.C. As well, Dr. Cooper has served as a national consultant in the area of promotion of coordinated school health for the past ten years, performing national and international work for a variety of organizations and agencies.

According to Dr. Cooper, "Simply providing access to education will not solve anybody's problems if the nation's schools are overwhelmed. We must work together to take action for children's nutrition, fitness and overall health, to create healthy, safe, supportive schools where teachers can teach and children can learn."

Dr. Cooper will share how he was able to secure funding and other resources for CSHP as well as how the McComb School District was able to document student education and health outcomes.

Dr. Cooper served as President of the Mississippi Alliance for School Health (MASH), and he was instrumental in assisting the organization in its growth and status with other state agencies. He served on the Governor’s Health committee, working with the National Governor’s Association in developing a national network on school/health partnerships.