Religion Teacher Ken Cooper Retires after 30 Years

In a world of widespread secularism, one long-time member of the St. John’s faculty has dedicated his professional life to fanning the flames of the Holy Spirit. Many conversations with religion teacher Ken Cooper, better known to colleagues and friends as “Coop,” end with “Peace and Love,” “Hallelujah,” or “Amen.” Cooper unabashedly wears his Christianity on both sleeves; his classroom ceiling contains a replica of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam. After 30 years of joyful service at St. John’s, he retired from teaching in June 2023.

Cooper was introduced to Catholicism by his World War II-veteran father and his mother, who raised him and his 11 siblings in the Bronx. “Those weren’t easy times for our family, but we were in church every Sunday.”

His faith developed while acquiring two master’s degrees, one in theology from Catholic University and a second in special education from Boston College. His faith deepened further during his eight years as an Irish Christian Brother, a vocation that ended when he declined to take final vows. “As much as I enjoyed religious life, I was longing for a greater sense of community and emotional intimacy,” said Cooper. Marrying his wife Jacalyn, a fellow teacher and close friend, filled both voids.

Before moving to St. John’s in 1993, Cooper taught at four schools in New York and the renowned Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts. “For me, teaching has always been a vocation, but my tenure at Perkins was the toughest and most rewarding,” he said. “That was truly God’s work.” And perhaps the Holy Spirit at work. It is where he met “Jackie.”

In addition to teaching all four religion courses at SJC (Morality and Social Justice has always been his favorite), Cooper coached softball, introducing girls to the sport and girls’ sports in general; he also coached lower-level boys’ basketball. After leaving the dugout and sidelines, Cooper remained a fixture at SJC athletic events, shouting out the names of his students.

Chris Dunckel ’08, now a St. John’s English teacher, says Cooper has always been a welcoming and inspiring presence. “He is truly the embodiment of the selflessness of Christ; anything and everything he does, he does with love in his heart,” he said. “Ken’s assertive and passionate dedication to bringing Jesus’ love to the people of his community made me a better student, a better teacher, and St. John’s a better place.”

Reflecting on the blessings of his past 30 years at St. John’s, Cooper points to the diversity of the school’s student body. “Growing up, I had to find a way to get along with people from every ethnic group,” he said. “That taught me valuable lessons—the same lessons our students are learning today.” What he’ll miss most are his colleagues and his students. “There are saints walking these halls and what a joy it has been to be with them.”

SJC math teachers helped Cooper estimate that he’s logged 10,000 miles walking to work each day, almost always with a rosary in his hand, and he says he’s read the entire Bible at least 10 times—physical and mental exercises good for the body and the soul.

Cooper will spend his retirement volunteering and praying for his thousands of former students and for St. John’s—and continuing to share and spread God’s love. “It is our calling,” he said. To which we respond “Amen!”