Hope McLaurin Cooley

​I am a veteran Special Education Educator with a passion for bridging the gap between classroom instruction and district-level strategy. With over 25 years of experience—including my current role at Choctaw Tribal Schools—I have dedicated my career to student equity and compliance.

​I am a "Power User" of Goalbook, having utilized the Toolkit for 6 years to design rigorous, standards-aligned IEP goals. To further my impact, I recently completed the Business Advantage Program for Professionals at Millsaps College (Dec 2025), sharpening my skills in strategic management, finance, and organizational leadership.

​In addition to my work in education, I serve as a Part-Time Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church, where I lead community initiatives and facilitate stakeholder relationships. I am now seeking to leverage my unique blend of instructional expertise and business acumen to support educational innovation at a systemic level.