Turner Cooper

Turner Cooper, Ed.M has a diverse work experience in the education field. In 2012, they started their career as a 1st Grade Co-Teacher and Physical Development and Character Development Teacher at KIPP Philadelphia Schools. Turner then moved on to become a 1st Grade Lead Teacher at KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth in 2014, where they focused on driving student achievement through strong social-emotional relationships and math and literacy data.

In 2016, Turner became a Resident Teacher at Urban Teachers, where they were selected as one of the inaugural cohort members determined to change urban education in Dallas. During this time, they also completed over 20 hours of graduate school coursework through Johns Hopkins University.

Turner joined Teach For America in 2017, serving as a Facilitator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Turner was responsible for leading corps members through Teach For America's national curriculum in this area, facilitating conversations on race, class, gender, and other societal issues.

In 2018, Turner transitioned to the Dallas Independent School District as a First Grade Teacher, leading and facilitating various educational activities such as morning meetings, guided reading sessions, and math groups. Turner was also selected as the lead educator to expand the first-grade class due to leveling.

In their most recent role at Teach For America starting in 2021, Turner served as the Director of CommUNITY Learning. Turner was responsible for supporting and co-planning regional staff learning and development, as well as serving as a bridge and connection to national partners and other Teach For America regions.

Currently, Turner is the Director of Learning and Development at the Center for Popular Democracy, where they utilize their expertise in the education field to promote learning and development initiatives.

Turner Cooper, Ed.M has an extensive education background. Turner earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Morehouse College in 2011. Prior to that, from 2004 to 2007, they attended Yvonne A Ewell Townview Magnet Center, where they completed a Vocational High School and Secondary Business/Vocational-Industrial/Occupational Diploma Program. In 2019, Turner obtained a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education and Teaching (EC-6) and Special Education (K-12) from Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, Turner pursued a higher degree, an Ed.M, in Learning and Teaching from Harvard Graduate School of Education.