Jim Cooper is "O Captain, my Captain": Making a Difference

              “O Captain, my Captain!”. Originally from a Walt Whitman poem, the phrase is also one of the most famous quotes in film history. Robin Williams’ character, John Keating, in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society assumes the role of a professor with unconventional thoughts and teaching methods that tries to inspire his student love poetry and to live vicariously. Jim Cooper’s reading, Downon the Island, supports the ideas presented in this film and countless others (e.g. Freedom Writers); educators have, without a doubt, an enormous impact on their student’s journeys.

Down on the Island by Jim Cooper
(Book cover)

            Down on the Island, at first glance, is a memoir of Jim Cooper’s life during the period of 1951-1954 when he lived and taught English on the island. However, the more interesting subject, although briefly referred to in the reading, recounts how students, on the last day of class would give their professors presents. He specifically states: “The presents were not, of course given because you gave them passing grades, but to thank you for teaching them something”. As a current college student, I can tell you that having a professor that makes you see things in a different light, challenges you yet doesn’t beat you down, and has faith and encourages you is one of the best feelings in the world. Nowadays, we live in a world where the thirst for knowledge in the traditional sense (lectures; homework; test; papers) is slowly dying. Additionally, no matter in what period of time, there will be individuals who abhor studying in the traditional sense. Furthermore, knowledge is the key to a functioning, good society. This is why gifted educators are so important in the lives of their students. Professors have the power to open new doors of thought and opportunity for their students, consequently affecting the course of their internal and external journey.

            I don’t seek to be an educator; it’s not my calling, but I do wish to be able to leave my mark in this world. I want my life to mean something. I’m ambitious, and I want to be great, but I want to be great by helping and leaving something positive behind. When I die, I want to leave behind a memory that says that I fought, I conquered, and made a difference somewhere in the world —left a mark on someone.

Bárbara Aponte (left); Mrs. Cynthia Pujals (right)
High School Graduation (2 years ago).

            We have all been students at one point in our lives, and almost everyone has that one professor that’s really made an impact in their lives. Those professors are the ones that are represented in the countless inspirational films; one of those professors is Jim Cooper. They are the ones that influence society greatly and go down in quiet history. I admire educators because of these very reasons, but the importance of their job often goes unnoticed. Therefore, readers, if any of you has the gift of being or preparing to be an educator, I congratulate and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I send a special shout-out to the professor that has influenced my journey the most, my tenth grade English teacher, Mrs. Cynthia Pujals. Thank you for always listening.