An educational paradigm is that all male teachers are coaches, but in many cases, some male teachers remain in the classroom as an “academic” coach for the students sitting in the desks. In a predominantly women’s career, the impacts of male teachers during the formative years can have a profound impact on students–an impact that can shape their entire future.
Nikeland Cooper said he can count on one hand the number of male educators he had in elementary school, and credits many high school male educators for creating the man he is today.
“It is extremely important for young men, especially young men of color, to see themselves reflected in educators and leaders,” Cooper said. I can count on one hand the number of male teachers I had throughout elementary and secondary school, yet every one of them made a tremendous impact on my life.”
He specifically credits Moss Point educators Mr. Roger Dean, Mr. Dean Rimer, Mr. Mike Toole, and Coach Lewis Sims for impressing on him the importance of presence, mentorship and leadership.
“I believe it is vital for young men to see positive male role models in education,” he said, but he had other role models as well. Rooted in faith and family, Cooper is following in the educational footsteps of his mother and grandmother as well.
“Growing up, I was heavily influenced by two incredible women in education: my grandmother, the late Tearessa Cooper, who recently passed away, and my mother, Zelanda Steele,” he said. “ Both worked for Head Start and dedicated their lives to early childhood education.”
With a combined 70 years in education, watching the actions of these maternal mentors who served children with love and dedication left a lasting impression on him.
“I remember waking up early in the mornings and riding the bus with my grandmother while she completed her bus duty picking up students twice a week,” Cooper added. “Both she and my mother strongly believed that children who begin learning at an early age become stronger readers and students when they enter grade school. Being immersed in education through two remarkable role models developed my passion for service and helping others at an early age.”
Cooper graduated from Wabash College where he majored in political science and double minored in art and biology. He initially worked in insurance alongside his uncle and even opened his own agency. He said his work was a service-oriented profession, but he realized he wanted to make a deeper impact in the community.
“I returned to my hometown of Moss Point and began teaching,” Cooper said, who taught many science and math courses in several districts. He continued his own education by earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi and later completed a Specialist Degree in Instructional Leadership from William Carey University. “These experiences helped prepare me for leadership roles in administration and instructional leadership.”
Today he serves as an assistant principal at Ocean Springs Middle School where his passion for service to others has grown into a commitment to educational leadership, mentorship, and service to students and families throughout the community.
“I strive to be a source of encouragement, discipline, leadership, and support for all students, especially young men of color,” he said. “Representation matters, and I want students to understand that education is not only a meaningful profession, but also a place where they can lead, inspire, and make a difference.”
And as an administrator, he said he also works to model professionalism, accountability, and compassion so students can see that leadership and service go hand in hand.
In his 17 years as an educator, he has had the opportunity to work alongside those who taught him and influenced his life in meaningful ways.
“As a child, they impacted me tremendously, and years later they became my colleagues and mentors,” Cooper said. “They helped shape me as a first-year teacher by teaching me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and believing that every child has purpose and potential.”
Another reward of being a teacher is watching former students grow into successful adults after overcoming obstacles. While he has been named teacher of the year twice and administrator of the year once, he said the success of his former students is a true measure of his own success.
Cooper is married to Octavia, a childhood classmate, and together they have three sons and are currently raising a nephew.
“Family is extremely important to me, and they continue to be my greatest source of strength, motivation, and inspiration,” said Cooper, who is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. As a hobby, he tests and reviews robotic vacuum cleaners and emerging home technologies.
“I enjoy studying innovation, analyzing technology trends, and providing detailed product feedback,” he said. “It combines my interest in technology, problem-solving, and innovation.”
His future educational goals are to continue his leadership growth and to become a principal and ending up serving in a central office leadership role where he can continue making positive impacts on students, teachers, schools and the overall community.
“I am passionate about instructional leadership, school culture, student achievement, and helping educators grow professionally,” Cooper said. “I believe strong leadership can transform schools and create opportunities for students to succeed both academically and personally.”
