Bob Cooley, 2008 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient

Bob Cooley is the Physical Education Specialist at Bennett Woods and Central Elementary. His teaching career began over 40 years ago when he became Okemos Public School's first elementary physical educator. Bob currently Co-chairs the K-12 Physical Education Core Curriculum and serves on a number of committees throughout the district. He also coaches a Jump Rope Demonstration Team.

Bob received his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Biology and Health Education, and master's degrees in Counseling and Guidance, as well as Educational Specialist in Curriculum Development from Michigan State University. He has made numerous professional development presentations at the local, state and national levels. He was on the steering committee that wrote the current grade level expectations in physical education for the State of Michigan. In 2004, he was named Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year for the State of Michigan by the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. He resides in Delta Township with his wife MaryAnne. They have two sons, Matt and Mitch, and seven fantastic grandchildren.