Meet Ms. Cookie, the Heart of Eagle Elementary

Eagle Elementary of Akron (Eagle Elementary) is proud of our staff, a dedicated group of exceptional educators. At the helm is a passionate and experienced educator who has dedicated over two decades to shaping the future of countless students. Meet Ms. Lisa Cook, also known as Ms. Cookie to her students, the guiding force behind this tuition-free public charter school, where children from grades K through 5 come to flourish academically and personally.

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at Eagle Elementary.

I have spent approximately 25 years in education as a Teacher, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal. My favorite grade to teach is 4th grade Science and Social Studies. I have worked with infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and adults who earned their GED. I enjoy the learning process as well as working with teachers and students. I am in my second year at Eagle Elementary as Principal and look forward to many more years to come.

Please tell us about your role as Principal.

My role as Principal is to help create a safe, positive learning environment for both staff and students. My responsibilities also include working with community partners to help expand our school environment with field trips and other activities that are outside of our school building. One of my favorite responsibilities is listening to and working through problems with parents, staff, and students.

What's the best part about your role? What's the biggest challenge?

The best part about my role is the ability to touch a number of lives simultaneously. I enjoy the process of meeting the needs of our families and the students at Eagle Elementary. My biggest challenge is transportation dollars to take the students on more field trips. My desire would be to increase the number of field trips to take the students to a number of different places to increase their exposure outside of their tiny bubbles.

What do you LOVE about Eagle Elementary? What sets it apart from other schools?

I love the family atmosphere of our school. Our staff and students feel like they are in a caring environment where everyone is viewed as important. Our support staff also feel like they are a greater extension of the entire school community.

What are some events you enjoy at Eagle and why?

I am involved in a variety of activities at Eagle. One of my favorites is graduation and PBIS events. I enjoy rewarding student behavior instead of solely looking for creative ways to punish. Students look forward to monthly PBIS events, including bowling and North Canton Skate Center.

What does a day in your school life look like?

My day rarely looks the same. Most days, I greet students as they arrive at school. After breakfast, I invite staff and students to gather for "Morning Meeting," where we start each day on a positive note by using mindfulness techniques to focus our minds on creating a positive learning atmosphere.  We also stretch and get blood flowing to facilitate learning. We share the lunch menu items for the day and celebrate in song any birthday celebrations.

As the day continues, I spend time visiting each classroom, working with students who need one-on-one attention, talking to parents who may visit or call, attending IEP or RTI meetings, addressing behavior challenges, observing teachers, providing additional instructional support, and meeting emergency needs of the building.

What do you do for fun?

I walk with my dog Scrappy around the park near my home each day. This gives both of us the exercise we need. I love Star Wars movies as well as comedies. I have two children, Lauryn and James. 

With Lisa Cook leading the way, Eagle Elementary is soaring to new heights of excellence, fostering a love for learning and creating a nurturing environment where every individual is valued. We’re enrolling K-5 students right now — we’d love to have you join us!

About Eagle Elementary

Eagle Elementary of Akron is a tuition-free public K-5 school in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron. With a focus on the well-being of the whole child, we bring a top-tier, future-ready education to all of our students. Our students ask questions, explore new ideas, and develop a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and personal growth. As a community we are closing the opportunity gap one student at a time. Eagle Elementary — where learning takes flight. Join us. We’re now enrolling.