- Columbus City Schools
- Homepage
Meet Woodcrest’s New Principal Yolanda Cooper
July 29, 2021 -- The District’s only year-round school, Woodcrest Elementary, has a new principal for the 2021-2022 school year who is also new to Columbus City Schools. When you first meet Yolanda Cooper, she’s quick to share her three guiding principles on public education leadership.
“I am a connector, servant leader, and I know Woodcrest Elementary is a school, but I look at it as a home, and each person inside is family,” said Cooper.
A home Cooper believes already has a solid foundation that she is more than happy to continue supporting and building as its principal.
“I’m excited to join a team that has already put in place so many things that our students need,” said Cooper. “That’s academic support, the ability to collaborate with other students and teachers, and strong social-emotional skills.”
Being in school five days and week and year-round excites Cooper, who most recently was the principal at Richard Allen Academy, a public K-6 charter school in Hamilton, Ohio, who improved its state report card overall grade from an “F” to a “C” in one academic year.
“Being in school full-time allows me to practice my belief that a strong presence goes hand in hand with student success,” said Cooper. “Students and staff will not only see me in the morning and during dismissal, but they will also see me in the classroom and lunchroom, engaging with students. Through my actions, I want to provide a great experience for students, staff, and families, so they will want to be here and keep coming back.”
While Cooper has been on the job less than a week, she has already met with staff and engaged in leadership activities.
“I shared my expectations with teachers and staff and then asked them for their expectations of me,” said Cooper.
The new principal has also already participated in at least one virtual meeting with Woodcrest families, who had lots of questions about safety.
“It makes sense that parents asked so many questions about wearing masks and face-to-face learning,” said Cooper. “It is my job to work with the school nurse, the District, and county health officials to reassure our families that we are following all health protocols and Woodcrest is a safe place to be five days a week.”
Cooper admits she’s a little nervous. Who wouldn’t be? Cooper is responsible for 305 young lives, their families, a staff of teachers, instructional aides, support personnel, and the far east side community that’s home to Woodcrest Elementary.
Like any new home, it will take some time to figure out who and what belongs where for the new Woodcrest principal. In the meantime, Cooper will rely on what every great home has: family. Her family at Woodcrest and her own family. Cooper’s husband of 26 years, the current Pastor at The Historic St. Paul AME Church in Columbus, was her high school sweetheart more than 30 years ago. Together they have an 18-year-old son, who just completed his first year of college at Northern Kentucky University. She is excited about her new Columbus family.
Welcome Principal Yolanda Cooper to Columbus City Schools!