James Cooper

Welcome to Mr. Cooper's 7th Grade Science & Social Studies Class!

Greetings students and parents.  I am very excited to be teaching science here at Owen M.S. for my 18th year.  On our 3 core teacher Los Caballos team, we have Ms. Drakeford for Language Arts/Social Studies,  Mrs. Cooper for Math, and I'll be teaching you Science/Social Studies, as well as Mrs. Burns for Social Studies.  We intend on everyone having an excellent 7th grade experience!  The #1 Rule in Mr. C's room is one word:  RESPECT.  If you treat others the way that you'd like to be treated, and you respect our learning environment, you will have no problem enjoying 7th grade science.  We're here to learn, to become better global citizens, and to train to be the leaders of tomorrow.  In 7th science we learn about the Earth's atmosphere and weather, genetics, cells, protists, forces and motion, energy transfer and, of course, using the scientific process.  We will be doing frog dissection, raising trout from eggs to release into streams, outdoor classroom stuff, online laptop stuff and lots of exploring of our natural world.

About me:  I grew up in the Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati, OH in a big family.  I've traveled a lot in the western US, in France, Japan, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador, the Tongan Islands, Canada, Jamaica and Hawaii.  I graduated from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa; I am a National Board Certified Teacher, with a Master's of Art in Middle Grades Science Teaching from Western Carolina University, and I have always had a passion for mentoring youth, and teaching about the wonders of this world.  I am married with 2 boys, ages 21 and 19, both attending App State, and we live in east Asheville, NC.  I love to hike, cook, collect music, watch football and spend time with my loved ones (which also includes several pets!)  My favorite saying is "Be the change you wish to see in the world" -Gandhi

Please contact me via school email (above), phone (828-686-7739) or face-to-face anytime.     Parents, the best time to talk or meet is during my planning, from 9:30 to 11:00 am.   We now use Infinite Campus for grades, attendance, etc.  Get your log in and explore.  Look to the tabs at the left for assignments, projects, and cool web links.  Here's to an amazing 2025-2026 school year, let's start learning!