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<\/p>\n52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n \u201cMy purpose is to fill in the gaps,\u201d Cook said.<\/p>\n Principal Adam Hile recognized Cook as a great addition to Trinity Basin Preparatory when she first enrolled her four boys in the charter network\u2019s Titan Academy three years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many now consider her the connection that binds the parents and school together because she\u2019s quick to step in to help students at the academy, which serves grades sixth through 12th.\u00a0<\/p>\n Her dedication and positive impact at the Trinity Basin system earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, the Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series spotlighting Tarrant County\u2019s unsung heroes.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just always a positive, happy face at our campus,\u201d Hile said. \u201cShe brings joy in any classroom or room that she enters.\u201d<\/p>\n Cook\u2019s volunteerism began at Titan Academy with tasks such as sorting through the school\u2019s budget to find available money when teachers requested supplies.\u00a0<\/p>\n She then began tutoring students in math and reading a few days out of the week, before or after school. Now, she spends two days a week inside classrooms alongside teachers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some days, she helps students with lessons or works with small groups to keep children engaged through educational games.<\/p>\n \u201cThis gives the teacher the opportunity to do what he or she needs to do,\u201d Cook said. \u201cIt looks different each day in the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n Cook\u2019s presence is especially helpful for students who struggle during lessons in large classrooms, Hile said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen she\u2019s able to pull small groups of three and four students to target the specific skills they need, they apply those skills later \u2026 and we see their improvement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just always a positive, happy face at our campus. She brings joy in any classroom or room that she enters.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam Hile, Titan Academy principal<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n When Cook\u2019s not in the classroom, she serves as the vice president of Titan Academy\u2019s parent-teacher organization board.\u00a0<\/p>\n In December, the group was focused on fundraising and providing teachers with gifts of appreciation amid the bustling holiday season.<\/p>\n \u201cOften the most challenging weeks of the school year are the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas,\u201d Cook said. \u201cIt\u2019s just so busy.\u201d<\/p>\n Through the PTO, Cook has hosted holiday and spring programs to make sure teachers are recognized.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s really spearheaded a lot of those things to make sure that the connections between the school and families are strong,\u201d Hile said.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n She\u2019s also volunteered at Trinity Basin\u2019s nearby West Campus, where she wanted elementary students to have a unique educational experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n Out of an absence of a gifted and talented program, Cook would pull fifth graders from those who finished assignments earlier to keep them engaged. She called them her \u201cfast finishers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey finish quickly and spend a lot of time waiting for what\u2019s next,\u201d Cook said. \u201cI just wanted to give them an opportunity to do more and something different. Not on the computer \u2014 away from that.\u201d<\/p>\n For Cook, the reward lies in seeing students excel and teachers being supported. She\u2019s enjoyed seeing former Trinity Basin West students now enrolled at Titan Academy.<\/p>\n \u201cThey still will come to me and say \u2018hi\u2019 as they pass by,\u201d Cook said. \u201cI just hope that I made their transition a little easier, changing schools and moving up.\u201d<\/p>\n Volunteering at Titan Academy is the work always worth doing, Cook said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe work so hard for our pay \u2026 but sometimes the job is just worth doing because it needs to be done or because it might help somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n