Cookie Colbert
Cookie is a dedicated educator, mentor, and community leader who has devoted more than three decades to serving students and families through Baltimore City Public Schools. For the past 31 years, including 17 years as Chair of Special Education, she has worked tirelessly to ensure students with disabilities receive the support, resources, and educational opportunities they deserve. In her leadership role, Cookie oversees special education programs, mentors teachers, facilitates IEP meetings, ensures compliance with state mandates, and supports more than 200 students alongside a team of 12 educators. Her commitment to individualized learning and student advocacy reflects her belief that every child deserves a free and appropriate public education tailored to their unique needs and abilities.
In addition to her work in education, Cookie has built a dynamic presence as a professional celebrity DJ over the past seven years, blending creativity, energy, and community engagement through music. Her passion for entertaining has led to memorable opportunities, including DJing for Maryland Governor Wes Moore at the Women for Wes event, where she performed for hundreds of influential women from across the state. Balancing both careers with authenticity and professionalism, Cookie credits her success to honesty, integrity, compassion, and a consistent dedication to hard work. Her ability to connect with people—whether in a classroom, leadership meeting, or on stage—has made her a respected figure in both education and entertainment.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cookie is deeply committed to empowering young women and strengthening her community. She is the co-founder and vice president of GEMS (Girls Expecting More Success), a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization that provides mentorship, life skills training, counseling, etiquette education, job readiness support, and enrichment programs for girls throughout the city. Since becoming a 501(c)(3) organization in 2015, GEMS has positively impacted countless young lives and received recognition from city leaders for its contributions to the community. Holding master’s degrees in Special Education and Community Counseling, along with an Administration Certificate I, Cookie continues to lead with purpose, compassion, and a passion for helping others realize their full potential.
• Certified Special Educator (since 1995)
• Administration Certificate 1
• Certified Ages Birth to 21
• Coppin State University- M.Ed.
• Clark Atlanta University- M.S.
• Morgan State University- B.S.
• Certificate of Appreciation for Most Valuable Player (December 2024)
• Citation from Governor Wes Moore (February 2023)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
• Phi Delta Kappa
• Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society
• Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society
• Co-founder and Vice President of GEMS (Girls Expecting More Success)
• D9 Ambassadors
What do you attribute your success to?
Besides God and staying prayed up, I attribute my success to working hard and staying focused. When I say I'm gonna do something, I'm gonna do it, whether that's with work, friendship, or family. I just put in work. I focus on being the best that I can possibly be, and I stay committed and dedicated to everything I do. It's about working hard at everything and following through on my commitments.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to build genuine relationships and focus on growth versus comfort. You can't be too comfortable - you have to work hard at everything you do. Stay flexible, and treat people with respect, and you'll get the respect back. Nothing is given to you unless you come from wealth. My parents worked extremely hard, my mom being a nurse practitioner and my dad a social worker in New York for a very long time, and they showed me that you have to work hard at everything you do. You have to manage your own path and recognize your value, knowing that you can get anything you want if you just work hard at what you do.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to stay consistent in your classroom routines and have positive relationships with your students. Don't take everything personal, especially when working in the inner city - make sure your students can trust you. Protect your personal time to avoid teacher burnout. Prioritize your time management and lean on supportive teachers that have experience and advice, because teaching is a marathon, it's not a sprint. You don't want to just run through it real fast. Be patient with your growth, because it's very rewarding. I love my students - that's the reason I could have retired 2 years ago and I didn't. Just be firm but consistent, and be fair but firm. You gotta be fair with kids because kids are kids, and they're like sponges - they absorb everything. At the end of the day, you have to realize that you're still an adult and you have to stay professional.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is navigating and maintaining your own physical and mental health. I lost both of my parents - my mom 3 years ago and my dad 2 years ago, they both passed in December within 2 weeks apart - and dealing with that while trying to overcome obstacles and making sure I don't fail at anything has been difficult. I have to make sure I'm jumping over all these hurdles, and even when I have my own internal battles, I stay prayed up. It's about managing the personal struggles while maintaining your professional responsibilities.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are the foundations that my parents instilled in me - being honest, having integrity, compassion, responsibility, and purpose. I make sure I'm held accountable, but just as well as I'm holding others accountable. I believe in showing kindness and understanding towards others, and being committed to my own professional and personal development. Being true and authentic is essential to me, and being kind - it doesn't hurt to be kind. I don't care about race, class, or anything else - kindness doesn't hurt, and I don't know why people just can't be kind. A lot of people have lost that, and it's really sad.