Retirement next adventure for Cook

Friday, November 15, 2013
Bainbridge Elementary Principal Jo Ellen Cook will be retiring at the end of the 2013-14 school year and remembers her years as an educator with fondness. Cook is spending time with the children that have become "like her own" over the years. One past-time she will miss is them coming to read to her as Gavin Simonson, Jacob Smith, Zach Bailey, Hailey Daigle and Peyton Doss did this past week.

BAINBRIDGE -- It is the year for principal retirement at North Putnam School Corporation.

North Putnam High School Principal Alan Zerkel was approved for retirement earlier this year, and fellow principal Jo Ellen Cook has been approved to follow suit at the end of the 2013-14 school year.

With a smiling face that greets people as they come into the school, Cook has spent the last 14 years of her career at Bainbridge Elementary.

For the past four years Cook has been the principal at Bainbridge and now plans on retiring after a 35-year teaching career.

"It's been a great experience, all 35 years," Cook exclaimed.

Like many in the educating field, she was inspired by a former teacher to pursue a career in education. Cook's second-grade teacher, who taught both herself and Cook's father, was the hook she needed to want to become an educator.

"She was a great lady," Cook said. "I have no regrets (becoming a teacher)... it is more of a calling than a career."

Cook started in her "calling" at Indiana State and after graduation claimed a job as a kindergarten teacher for Greencastle. She has also taught in Illinois, Florida, Cloverdale and North Putnam High School.

Having run the gamut of teaching, from Title 1 to high school, Cook attributes this rich background to most of her success as an educator and as an administrator. She also thinks the children and staff make her job much easier.

"I enjoy working with the teachers and being in class," Cook said, "and the kids become like mine after seeing them grow up."

She will also miss working with the other administrators. Being the only female administrator in the North Putnam School Corporation has been much easier then she expected.

"Usually with an all-male group it can be a 'good, old boys' system," Cook stated. "It hasn't happened here. They have been great to work with."

She also believes that the staff at Bainbridge Elementary are some of "the most caring individuals" and is thankful for all the support they and the community have given her over the years.

Even if she will miss those in the North Putnam School Corporation, Cook is looking forward to retiring.

Her husband Bruce retired from teaching two years ago and she is looking forward to spending time and traveling with him. Cook has plans to stay active in the community and children through different means than the school system.

"(I) Think I'd like to get involved with the Putnam County Library," Cook commented.

Her interest in working with the library comes from wanting to continue to promote literacy with children. She went on to say that any involvement with the school system will come from participating in events with her grandson. Cook looks forward to spending time with him and her children with her newfound time off.

As Cook reaches the end of her time with the school system she walks away with a happy heart and no regrets from her career in education.

"I can walk away and feel I have met my goals," she stated. "One of those things ... people try and do everything they want in a career. I have as a teacher and a mentor."

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