What school did you attend and what did you study?

Cook – I studied at the University of Notre Dame. My undergraduate degree was the program of liberal studies which is a great book program. It’s literature, philosophy, history, theology, and a whole bunch of stuff combined. After that I got my master’s in education.

What are the interests and passions you have outside of school?

Cook – As you might expect I love to read. I also really like hiking, since I used to live in Arizona. I spend a lot of time with my friends and my family and I also really like calligraphy. 

When you were younger, did you imagine yourself as a teacher, or did you have other dream jobs?

Cook – When I was little I wanted to be either a teacher or a writer. I would force my little siblings to sit and do classes with me, so I was kind of in the cards.

Do you have any siblings?

Cook – I have little siblings and am the oldest of three.

What book has impacted you the most?

Cook – There are so many. I think the one that has probably impacted me the most is St. Augustine’s Confessions, I didn’t grow up Catholic and that book helped me to see the grace of the Catholic Church and to look back at my life, and see how God is working the whole time just like what God did for St Augustine.

Have you lived in any places other than Indiana and if so where?

Cook – I was born in New Jersey and then I lived in Long Island, New York, and Upstate, New York. Then I moved to Indiana for high school and college and then I was out in Arizona for the last few years.” 

Who are the 3 most impactful people in your life?

Cook – I feel like I have to say my parents and husband, so it would be those 3 people.

What job did you have before Cathedral?

Cook – Just before Cathedral, I took a year off from teaching and was a high school youth minister at my parish.

If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be?

Cook – I would love to meet Jane Austen because she has such insight into the funny little interactions between people and I just think she would be a really observant and interesting person to talk to.” 

If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Cook – Before you get stressed out about something, ask yourself if you will even remember this in 5 years.

Why did you choose to be an English teacher instead of any other academic class?

Cook – I have always loved books and loved stories and I think we can learn so much about ourselves and the people around us and our purpose in life and why we are where we belong. I think when we read a book it invites us to ask big questions about ourselves, the world, and God and it’s very exciting. It was an obvious choice for me.

Did you play any sports as a kid?

Cook – I didn’t play any in high school but up until then I played soccer and basketball.

What motivates you and inspires you the most?

Cook – My faith is the most important thing. My life and also my family are the things that motivate me the most since I want to honor them and represent them well.

Who is your favorite musical artist or genre?

Cook – I do love Taylor Swift a lot but I would probably have to go with Billy Joel.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Cook – I love spending time with high schoolers. I think that they are way more honest and funnier than adults are. I love English In particular and I love stories too.

What is the one thing that being a teacher gives you?

Cook – Being a teacher offers you such a great sense of purpose and so much excitement throughout the school day and it really gives me a deep sense of purpose that what I’m doing is important and good work.

Are you more of an extrovert or introvert around new people?

Cook – I would definitely describe myself as an extrovert.

What are a few items that would be at the top of your bucket list?

Cook – I would love to go to Poland, which has been on my list for a long time. I want to go to a lot more National Parks because I didn’t start to until fairly recently. There’s a lot on that list that I want to check though, especially hiking.

How do you spend your free time?

Cook – I normally spend it with other people like family and friends since I don’t like to spend a lot of time by myself. I read a lot and go on walks and things like that.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

Cook – If you had asked me ten years ago where I would be now the answer I would have given you would be completely different from right now, so it feels impossible to answer that question. I just take things as they come.