Since the school opened in 1989, chemistry teacher Patricia Cook has been a prominent figure in the science department. She is the only staff member still remaining who was here on the day Salem opened. With years of high school and college teaching experience under her belt, she has seen students, teachers, and even the children of former students pass through her classroom.
“Opening a brand new school was challenging,” said Cook. “Salem did not really have an identity yet. Our principal and most of the teachers were Green Run transplants, and many of our students were from the Green Run district.”
With 37 years of experience, Cook has watched Salem grow and change, becoming the school it is today.
“The biggest change for Salem was the formation of the Visual and Performing Arts Academy,” said Cook. “I think it made Salem students very accepting of each other’s differences and that seeing the world from someone else’s perspective is vital.”
Cook has had an immense impact on the teachers and students in the community from the minute she started working here.
“Ms. Cook is definitely respected around Salem,” said senior Olivia Turner. “Every time I mention her to my other teachers, they always have great things to say about her and her work ethic. She is super hard-working, and I am so, so glad to have had her these past two years.”
Cook has always had the spark for teaching, and once she adapted to the uplifting environment, she never wanted to leave.
“I have been teaching chemistry (first at a private school and then at Green Run) since I graduated from college, so it’s been my only ‘adult’ job,” said Cook. “I also did some lab work at ODU for a research project and worked for eight years at TCC during summers and evenings. I really enjoyed that, but I would not have left Salem to do that full-time.”
Even after students leave her classroom, her enthusiasm and commitment to teaching really stick with them. Her teaching experience shines through each and every lesson.
“Ms. Cook differs from my old science teachers in her teaching by the enthusiasm she has when teaching and the desire to help her students,” said junior Ava Phan. “I really enjoy Ms. Cook’s class and the environment [she fosters] is good for learning.”
She makes each and every AP class fun and rigorous, yet understandable and attainable for her students.“She knows what college chemistry is like, what her AP students need to know, and what their weak points may be,” said Turner. “Each test for AP Chemistry had AP Classroom-style questions. I have always found these questions difficult, and I really appreciated how she graded the AP tests on a curve.”
Cook has truly had an enormous impact on Salem while at the same time having a front row seat to watch our school grow and change.
“[My favorite part of Salem is] the diversity of our students and staff,” said Cook. “I [also] think Salem students and staff are kind and want to help whenever possible.”
If you happen to pass Cook in the hallway, want to stop by room 242, or have the urge to take AP Chemistry, take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the teacher who has helped develop the school students know today.
