The Cooper family came to IDEA in search of something more than just a school. They were looking for a community that genuinely cared about their children, their education, and their future.
After her experience with a previous school district, Ms. Cooper felt that the care, support, and passion for education she wanted for her children was missing. As a mother of six, she wanted to know that when she sent her boys to school each day, they were surrounded by educators who saw their potential, cared about their success, and wanted to help them grow.
Life in the Cooper household is full. Her boys are active in the Oak Cliff 49ers Little League team, and together the family shares pieces of their everyday life through their YouTube channel, 6Boys1Mom. Ms. Cooper even cuts the boys’ hair herself, one of the many things she manages as a mom, raising six boys.
The Cooper family had also experienced the heartbreaking loss of the boys’ father, something that deeply affected their family. As a single mother, Ms. Cooper knew she had to continue doing what was best for her boys while helping them work through such a difficult loss. That experience made having love, stability, and a strong sense of community even more important.
For Ms. Cooper, choosing IDEA was about finding a place where education and genuine care went hand in hand. She wanted her boys to be somewhere they were not simply students in a classroom, but young men who were known, supported, and encouraged to build a strong future.
The Cooper Family and IDEA A.W. Brown APO Kemeshia Jeffery: Meghan Cooper with her sons King, Legend, Elijah, Isaiah, Prenceton and LeCamren, along with grandparents Michele and Kelsey Willis and aunt Morgan Willis.
More Than Getting to School
The Cooper family came to IDEA during a challenging time. Following the passing of the boys’ father, Ms. Cooper was adjusting to a new school and a new routine while raising six boys. She knew getting them to school every day mattered, but mornings weren’t always easy. Getting everyone ready, dropping off her youngest at daycare, making the hour-long drive to campus and still getting to work on time.
And with six boys, school is only one part of the family schedule. Between practices, games, haircuts and everything else that comes with keeping a busy household moving, Ms. Cooper has learned how important routines and support can be.
Rather than trying to manage it all on her own, Ms. Cooper was open with her children’s teachers and campus leaders about what mornings looked like for her family. What she found was support. “It takes a village,” she said.
That partnership became especially meaningful when Legend was in third grade. His teacher saw his academic potential and talked with Ms. Cooper about how arriving on time gave him a chance to eat breakfast, settle into his routine and be ready to learn.
Being on time became about more than avoiding a tardy. It was about giving Legend the start he needed each day. So the family adjusted, and Ms. Cooper wasn’t doing it alone. Her parents helped keep their mornings moving, while teachers and campus leaders were there when the family needed support.
It really did take a village, both at home and at school.
What Legend Loves About School
We asked Legend what he liked about school, and he had plenty to say! The fourth grader at IDEA A.W. Brown lit up as he talked about what he was learning, from capital letters and commas to exclamation points. And when we asked who made him feel happy and supported at school, he didn’t hesitate: “My teachers.”
Learning was a big part of what Legend loved about school, but it wasn’t the only thing. He also looked forward to centers, extra recess, Treasure Box and special lunches, all the experiences that made the school day fun.
But when we asked why coming to school every day mattered, Legend had his future in mind. “So they can go to a good college and get a good job.” For Legend, every day at school is another chance to learn something new and get a little closer to that goal.
What Makes the Drive Worth It
An hour is a long way to drive to school. Ms. Cooper knows that. She makes the drive anyway. When one of her boys is absent, someone notices. Teachers reach out. When her children need a uniform shirt, help from the nurse or simply someone to answer a question, she knows there is someone she can turn to.
Ms. Cooper has watched her children grow academically, but to her, the drive is about so much more. She knows her boys are safe, cared for and surrounded by people who believe in them. “I’ve always felt supported. I’ve always felt heard,” she shared. That support is why IDEA A.W. Brown has come to feel like family.
For Ms. Cooper, “it takes a village,” and her story shows us just how true that can be. Sometimes that village is a parent rearranging their morning routine or a grandparent calling to make sure everyone is on the road. Other times, it’s a teacher checking in or a campus leader asking, “How can we help?”
Building Habits That Last
For Ms. Cooper, attendance is about more than a number on a report or a date on a calendar. “Attendance is shaping them to be the type of person that is accountable, reliable and dependable.” Every day brings another lesson, conversation and experience her boys can carry with them.
Those lessons extend beyond the classroom, too. Whether they are showing up for school, for their teammates with the Oak Cliff 49ers or for one another at home, Ms. Cooper is working to teach her boys the value of being dependable and following through.
The hour-long drive hasn’t gotten shorter, and the mornings haven’t gotten easier. But Ms. Cooper knows her family doesn’t have to do it alone. She has family pushing her and a campus full of people ready to support her boys when they arrive.
That’s what Team & Family looks like for the Coopers. It’s a mom doing everything she can to get her boys to school, family members helping along the way and campus staff making sure that when those boys walk through the doors, they know someone is glad they came.
September puts a spotlight on attendance, but the Cooper family reminds us why it matters all year long.
