About Dr. Cook

Dear Students and Parents, 

To start, I would like to share a little about myself. I grew up in Framingham, MA with my parents and two sisters. After attending Framingham High, I went to college at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY (Long Island) where I majored in Geology. In my senior year, I decided that I wanted to spread my passion for the field of Earth/Environmental Science and decided to go into teaching. I attended Boston College for graduate school (majoring in Secondary Education) which led me to a student teacher position at Lexington High. After graduation, I was officially hired at LHS in 2012 (and plan to stay as long as I can!). 

I currently live in Natick with my husband, son, (Grayson, 4), daughter (Ady, 1) and dog, Riley. I like to hike, run, and play ultimate (frisbee). 

Environmental Science

I first fell in love with Environmental Science in high school. I took Earth Science freshman year and I remember the specific moment in which understanding more about the Earth shifted my entire view of the world. My teacher was talking about plate tectonics and how the Earth’s surface has not always looked like it does now, and that eventually, another Pangea might form on the other side of the planet. Before this, I knew facts such as the Earth is 4.6 billion years old, there are nine planets (at least there were then), etc. However, my brain must have been mature enough to finally put that fact into perspective. I felt small, but in a powerful way. I was part of something bigger; I was part of a planet that had looked drastically different 200 million years ago and would look drastically different 200 million years after I left it. Then, senior year, I took an Environmental Science course and I again was captured by the sense that I wasn’t just a citizen of Framingham, I was a citizen of the planet and as a citizen, I had a responsibility to take care of the Earth. 

General Commitment to Students

Learning takes a lot of trust on the part of the student. Students need to trust that the teacher knows the content, that they will grade and assess students fairly, and that they will not judge or scorn students for not understanding. In a typical school year, I would make sure to spend time earning your trust and demonstrating my willingness to support your learning.  Therefore, in this letter, I want to let you know that:

• I will give you opportunities to make mistakes without consequences.

• If you have questions or concerns about a grade; I will hear you out with an open mind.

• I will be available for individual meetings and support.

• I will not ask too much of you but I will hold you accountable for what you can accomplish.

Commitment to Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion

Although systemic racism and police brutality has been a constant presence for the Black community, these past few years have been somewhat of an awakening for those who have blindly benefited from it. As an educator, I strongly believe in making my classroom a safe and welcoming space for all students. I try to be truly open to all of my student’s perspectives and experiences and treat them with respect and genuine interest in their lives. Throughout my life, my social identity has predominantly provided me privilege and opportunity. I must continually work to challenge my perceptions and to see the oppression that many people face. Therefore, I want to explicitly communicate the commitments that I am taking to become an active ally. 

I will: 

• Attend LHS antiracist meetings.

• Constantly assess my implicit biases .

• Highlight professional environmental scientists with diverse backgrounds. 

• Provide opportunities for students to explore how environmental issues disproportionally impact vulnerable communities. 

• Receive feedback from students with an open heart and mind.

If at any time, you feel that you would like to have a conversation with me or offer me feedback, please feel free to reach out. I want my class to be a great learning experience for all students. 

Anxiety and Stress

I often have to consistently remind students that your grade does not define who you are. However, when put up against a global pandemic and civil unrest, grades and academic achievement may not necessarily be as stress-inducing as they once were. Or perhaps they just add to the anxiety and stress you are already feeling. Whichever they turn out to be, I do want to address grades and I also, as your teacher, want to state commitments to support your mental health. You cannot learn without first a sense of some well being. 

Grades: 

You are a complex, wonderful human being who cannot be boiled down to a letter of the alphabet. A grade is supposed to be a snapshot of your current understanding of content and proficiency in academic skills. You are currently a freshman in high school, and no one is expecting you to be perfect. 

When you’re in high school, your brain is still growing and changing significantly  - neurons are making new connections, your decision-making process is changing and your ability to organize, plan, evaluate, synthesize and analyze is increasing. I didn’t start to really understand how to effectively be a student until my freshman year of college, so if it isn’t happening for you now, don’t worry, you are still growing up – there’s time for you to grow into the student you want to be. 

Today’s World

Each individual experiences the world differently and I cannot predict how any one student is feeling and reacting to the current state of the world. However, as a person who has had experience with stress and anxiety, I can provide a listening ear and perhaps some strategies to help. 

I will: 

• I will never view a student as a grade in Aspen. I will see them as complex  and interesting human beings who have something to teach the world. 

• I will provide a platform for students to communicate stress levels.

• I will offer accommodations to the curriculum as needed. 

• I will offer reminders and strategies for students to practice self-care. 

In Conclusion

I always like to remind my students that: “Once a Ms. Cook student, always a Ms. Cook student.” This is a sentiment I really believe in. Each year at LHS, I get to meet so many fascinating people with different backgrounds, interests, thoughts, and ways of viewing the world. I have to say, all of the students I have worked with are genuinely interesting people, and above all, each student is innately kind. You are all so talented and have so much to offer this world. Each and every one of you makes me a better person and teacher. You give me the strength and confidence to dance in front of the classroom, make goofy jokes, and make mistakes. I truly enjoy teaching at LHS and I can’t wait to meet you all. 

It is a privilege to be your teacher this year and beyond.  

Sincerely, 

Ms. Cook