Teachers of the Year

Donna Cooke and Kathleen Theret
Teachers of the Year

Donna Cooke

Donna Cooke, English teacher at Gorton High School, demonstrates her dedication to the teaching profession daily through her involvement in Gorton’s total school program by working closely with students, teachers, administrators and parents. Donna Cooke joined the Yonkers Public Schools on September 5, 2000 as an English Teacher at Montessori 31, and in 2001, she relocated to Emerson Middle School. In September of 2004, Mrs. Cooke joined the Gorton High School staff as an English teacher, the position she currently holds today.

Donna received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Pace University and a Master of Science degree in Education from Mercy College. She continued her studies at Manhattan College, taking the master’s course, English for Advanced Placement Teachers. Actively pursuing excellence in the teaching profession, Mrs. Cooke continues her training by participating in many workshops including 4MAT Concepts and Strategies in the Classroom; SIM – University of Kansas Writing Program; and Smaller Learning Communities, GEAR UP, medical magnet, service learning, and technology training.

Outside the classroom, Donna Cooke conducts writing workshops, promotes the Smaller Learning Committee initiative, assists Gorton’s Academy of Medical Professions, is actively involved in the Advanced Placement initiative, maintains Gorton’s website for English 10 and Advanced Placement 11, and collaborates with Sarah Lawrence College. Donna Cooke has received numerous honors for her work as an educator including the 2008 Jenkins Award; the National Council of English Teachers’ 2008 Educator of Excellence; recognition for her service to Yonkers Public Schools and Greater New York Chapter of the Fulbright Association/Sarah Lawrence College; and a Certificate of Appreciation from the National Society of High School Scholars.

Donna and her husband, Greg, have been married for 30 years. They are the very proud parents of two children, Jaclyn and Joseph.

Kathleen Theret

Kathleen Theret, Kindergarten teacher at Cedar Place School, exemplifies an enduring commitment to excellence, and her classroom has been used as a model for other teachers throughout the District because of her engaging educational practices. Kathleen Theret joined the Yonkers Public Schools on September 6, 1995 as an elementary school teacher at Foxfire School. In 2001, she relocated to Cedar Place School, where she currently teaches kindergarten. Prior to joining the District, Mrs. Theret taught prekindergarten at Small World North and worked as a substitute teacher in various school districts throughout Westchester.

Kathleen received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Lehman College, earning a Master of Science in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. Furthering her studies, she received instruction in the Foxfire Model with Sarah Lawrence College, participated in a professional development school visitation to the Foxfire School in North Carolina and trained in Bank Street’s Learning Lab.

Actively pursuing excellence in the teacher profession, Mrs. Theret participates in all staff development meetings and serves as an example of creative classroom teaching. Unique classroom activities like “Fun Fridays,” “Journey through Kindergarten,” “Pajama Day,” and “Valentine’s Day Breakfast and Dance,” have been showcased by outside educational organizations including PBS and Yonkers Partners in Education.

Kathleen is also heavily involved in the community, working with the Greystone Community Garden and the North Yonkers Preservation Center, where she coordinates educational school visits to a community garden. She has partnered with McGruff, the Crime Dog, to teach children the messages, “Just Say No to Drugs” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers.” Kathleen Theret is a long-time member of the PTA and has been honored as a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology.

Kathleen Theret and her husband, Gerry, have been married for 39 years. They are extremely proud of their four daughters and six grandchildren.