Faculty of the Week: L.J. Cooper

ANGELA HE, SEAN RICARD,  and KEVIN THANT

“To really understand the nuances of language is to recognize that it gives shape to things that aren’t tangible, like a chemical compound or an organism might be, for instance, and that’s always fascinated me. When we immerse ourselves in language, we’re considering who we are in the deepest, most intuitive sense.” Instructor in English L.J. Cooper speaks of language with the kind of reverence that elevates it beyond just a tool of communication. Cooper thinks of language as a way of seeing, of understanding the world and our place in it. In his own words, to understand language is more than simply having a large vocabulary or command over literary devices. To be a master of language is to recognize others in the most personal way. 

Beyond teaching English, Cooper wears many hats at Exeter. One of his largest commitments is serving as a faculty advisor to The Exonian, a position he cherishes for the exposure it grants to the many ever-present stories unfolding around campus. He said, “There’s always a story to be found somewhere around here, and our student staff works tirelessly to generate exceptional journalism each week.” His colleagues recognize this commitment. Instructor in English Erica Lazure, who co-advises The Exonian with him, noted, “He listens carefully to the discussion underway and can be relied upon to offer a helpful perspective that hadn’t been previously considered. And he cares deeply about the students in his classes and in the dorm.”

Cooper has also served as a class advisor, helping class representatives organize several events in the past. He has also played an active role in dorm life, first in Dunbar Hall and now in Peabody Hall. His ability to create a sense of home is lauded by students. “Whenever he’s on check-in, people just swarm his study,” said senior Jacques Leleux. “It’s like a mosh pit because everybody wants to talk to Dr. Cooper.”

Even since his early days at Exeter, Cooper’s presence has been unmistakable in classrooms, dorms, and conversations. “He’s an incredibly empathetic person,” Leleux noted. “He understands people. He makes them feel heard.”

It’s not just the serious moments that characterize Cooper. His humor is what’s also unmatched. Instructor in English Katie Brule fondly recounted the time Cooper showed up to a faculty meeting wearing a pineapple hat for Halloween — and kept it on all day. His students often talk about his off-the-cuff use of Gen Z humor, referencing “Rizzler” memes and “The Costco Guys.” “He’s young enough to understand how we think, what our priorities are, and what kinds of things we need to hear,” said upper Nate Frary. “It’s comforting to have someone who just gets it.”

Before arriving at Exeter, Cooper taught for two years at Cannon School, an independent day school outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to that, he completed his doctoral work at Duke University. As to why Cooper decided on English, he said, “Teaching English is a sincere calling for me. I realized in college that, if I didn’t live a life where literature and art were central, I’d be miserable.” The transition to Exeter felt like a natural next step. 

“I saw a job opening for an English teacher and thought it was time to spread my wings a bit and aim for a position in the Northeast,” Cooper said. “I was attracted to how dynamic everything is at Exeter: the students always keep me on my toes and make me a better teacher, and we’re lucky to have all the resources we have here for pedagogical opportunities beyond the classroom.”

Despite being miles from home, Exeter reminds him a great deal of his home state of Wisconsin. He brings pieces of his past into his present, such as his love for reading, music, and film. Brule spoke on the effect Cooper’s sharing has had on her. “He brings in texts brand new to me and the most crazy inventive writing assignments. He’s a great person to go to for out-of-the-box thinking when you need it.” 

Cooper also finds enjoyment in his scholarship when he isn’t teaching; he is currently working on a few journal articles, as well as a book. Apart from his craft, he attends concerts and visits museums frequently. He also added, “I know it’s shocking to hear this coming from an English teacher, but I love reading.”

Cooper is further known to be a brilliantly inventive mind. Lazure explained, “Some of his English students have shared with me a few of the assignments he’s given them — sometimes inspired by music or art—which enabled them to tap into their creativity in unusual ways.” Much of Cooper’s acclaim comes from his innovative assignments, stemming from his belief that there are extensions to English beyond just language.

In accord with this, Cooper has taken on the Graphic Narrative and Literary Comics elective. Lazure continued, “He teaches graphic narratives at the lower levels as well, enabling his students to become conversant in visual literacy and to build upon a genre that so many of them already love.” His approach to teaching English allows students to connect with the content more intimately, utilizing methods that are welcoming to the youth.

Leleux added to this sentiment, reflecting: “Cooper’s always such a help brainstorming an idea for an essay, a project, or extracurricular activities like Dungeons and Dragons. He always has unique ways to solve problems and think about the world. He’s one of the most creative people I’ve ever met.” 

Leleux, who attended Cooper’s former school, told of their serendipitous journey. “He was my advisor my freshman and sophomore year back in North Carolina, and then, by sheer coincidence, we both ended up at Exeter the same year. Now, in my senior year, he’s my advisor again. It’s crazy how life works.” For Leleux, Cooper’s constant presence has provided a sense of constancy and familiarity.

Cooper, despite his short tenure here so far, has established profound connections with several on campus. He praised that, “My mentor, Ms. (Ellen) Wolff, has been extraordinarily helpful in talking through questions I’ve had about Exeter, as well as ensuring that I establish my footing here more generally. My department chair, Ms. (Barbara) Desmond, has been so gracious along the way, too.” 

He continued, “Also, I, of course, love all the students I’ve gotten to know, whether through dorm life or in the classroom. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by so many capable educators and learners.” Cooper has never failed to show his own appreciation for those around him.

Upper Lawrence Birch described Cooper’s caring nature through a fond memory. “We had an advisory dinner, and he made us a bunch of delicious food like sushi dumplings and chicken parmesan. We sat and watched TV, talked about our favorite movies, and things like that. It was a really nice moment.” These homey memories can be recalled by anyone who has gotten to know Cooper — his ability to allow people to be comfortable in his presence is undeniable. 

That quality is especially showcased in his popularity in Peabody Hall. Leleux reflected, “I typically sit with him during check-in on Monday nights, and people will come to him with all kinds of problems. Especially in a guys’ dorm, I think that’s really unique. I don’t think you usually have this kind of rapport with your dorm faculty where you’ll go and talk about your problems.” 

Prep Amerson Liang described Cooper as “magnanimous, glorious, and omniscient.”

Lower Carrie-Anne Chan, a student in Cooper’s class, believes that his constant feedback on writing before submission allows students to better learn and improve their writing skills. She added. “He makes the class lighthearted and interesting, always making nuanced references or connections and allowing us to deeply discuss them.” With such a strong grasp of his courses’ material, Cooper can find the right links at the right times, creating a seamless experience for his students. 

In a world that often moves too fast, Cooper never fails to remind his students that language is more than just words. It’s a way of making sense of the chaos and a way of finding each other in the noise. He said, “There’s so much sadness and hatred in the world right now, and it’s up to us to combat things like prejudice, fear, and doubt with urgency and conviction.” Borrowing a maxim from the late, great David Lynch, which was included in the third season of “Twin Peaks,” Cooper declared: “Fix your hearts or die!” He said this without pretense and without grandeur.