After a combined 42 years of teaching at Southeast, choir teacher Lisa Cookson and theatre teacher Martha Dooms are in their final act. Cookson and Gates have been a big part of Southeast’s Fine Arts program for most of the past two decades.
Cookson, who has been battling cancer since last year, is finally cancer free and has decided to retire to focus on her health.
“It was just time to do something different for myself. I’m trying to take care of myself … I’m just ready to retire. It’s time for me,” Cookson said.
Gates, on the other hand, has known that she would retire so her decision isn’t a surprise to her students.
Lydia Jean (11) and Audriana Lagares (12) have each had both Cookson and Dooms as teachers.
“I’m obviously very sad because they are such a big part of my life. But I can tell that they’re both ready to go. So that makes me more accepting to the fact that they’re leaving,” Jean said.
“Yeah, I think it’s sad, but I’m also leaving so it’s kind of fun because we’re all leaving together,” choir student Lagares said.
Many students have a deep connection with these teachers and to many it came as a surprise when they announced they would retire this year.
“When I announced it, there were some tears…. Because it was quite a shock. And because there were some people who were just surprised or thought I would be here for their senior year,” Cookson said.
Students of Cookson and Dooms attribute their teaching and character to helping them grow as individuals and helping them feel like they have a sense of community in the Fine Arts Department.
“Without them I wouldn’t be the person that I am today because I have always loved choir, but … in elementary and middle school didn’t really mean that much to me,” Jean said. “But both of them have gotten me out of my shell.”
“I found a community who loves music like I did, and I got into theater, and I was like, wow, I’m actually good at this too. Like this is really fun. And all of this theater and choir combined,” Lagares said. “I wouldn’t be who I am without the department, and I probably wouldn’t be who I am without Dooms and Cookson.”
Although saddened by their departure, students are excited for new beginnings at Southeast.
“The new Theatre teacher, Mr. Stafford from CMA, I actually had him in his first year he taught at CMA,” Lagares said. “I remember him being nice. but I know like this year, he’s been to every show we’ve done, and he’s came to her rehearsals, and he’s come during class time and just like when we were all being chaotic and stuff, he’s just hung out with us. he’ll be like a fresh face like a good a good guy to just come in, hang out with the theater kids and be nerds.”
After making their own culture and traditions, Dooms and Cookson hope that future Choir and Theatre teachers continue some of Southeast’s long-standing traditions and perhaps start some of their own.
“I think it’d be positive because they’re gonna bring in new ideas and new energy,” Dooms said.
“I’m excited for the program to have fresh and new ideas,” Cookson added. “To give them a chance to let them know here’s what we’ve done and if you do things differently, and that’s okay. But you know, show them the traditions, share with them the traditions, but to just continue to move the programs forward and continue to be active.”
