Cooper Educators Named Among Nation's Top Innovators
Faculty Members Earn National Recognition for Innovative Curriculum Design
Two educators from The John Cooper School have earned national recognition for their innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Shannon Hill, Upper School AP Spanish Teacher, and Mariví Mata, World Languages Department Chair and Global Education Programs Coordinator have been selected for the inaugural 2026 cohort of The 100: Independent School Innovators, a national initiative celebrating educators whose work is transforming teaching and learning. Hill has been part of the Cooper World Languages Department for 30 years, and Mata has led the Department for 10 years.
Shannon Hill, Upper School AP Spanish Teacher, and Mariví Mata, World Languages Department Chair and Global Education Programs Coordinator, have been selected for the inaugural 2026 cohort of The 100: Independent School Innovators. With a combined 40 years of experience at Cooper, the educators were recognized for their innovative approaches to curriculum design and their demonstrated impact on student learning.
Selected from more than 600 applicants representing over 300 schools, Hill and Mata were recognized for their innovative curriculum design and demonstrated impact on student learning. The distinction honors 100 educators whose creative, effective, and sustainable approaches are helping shape the future of independent school education.
Mata’s innovative approach to curriculum design focuses on real-world application of student learning, and emotional and cultural intelligence to develop empathy and self-awareness. She has also pioneered the use of internationally recognized third-party certifications of proficiency to benchmark student achievement for each course.
Hill’s focus is on neuroinclusive teaching practices and contextualizing language learning with storytelling as the vehicle for authentic, impactful learning. Her objective is to make language accessible, applicable, and relevant for students across various learning profiles, enabling them to take those skills into college, the workforce, and beyond. She explains that because the brain is innately wired to process and retain information through story, students learn to process and make connections effectively in that medium.
“For Cooper's World Languages Department, the national recognition underscores the value of purposeful curriculum design in developing globally minded students,” said Alexis Wiggins, Head of Upper School at The John Cooper School. “Through engaging instruction, cultural exploration, and authentic learning experiences, the department helps students build language proficiency, deepen cultural understanding, and develop the communication skills essential to becoming responsible citizens and leaders.”
The World Economic Forum consistently identifies communication, adaptability, and critical thinking among the essential skills for the future workforce. Both educators are strong advocates for equipping students with transferable communication skills, intercultural competence, and the ability to apply language learning beyond the classroom, preparing them for success in college, their careers, and an increasingly interconnected world.
“We often tell our students and families that language majors in particular, have one of the lowest unemployment rates, 1.6% nationwide, as compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.1%. Our goal has always been to make language learning meaningful, relevant, and accessible to every student. This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates the impact of innovative teaching and the importance of preparing students to communicate, connect, and lead in a global community,” said Hill and Mata.
An independent panel of nationally recognized education leaders, including Jay McTighe, Denise Pope, Eric Hudson, Laura D. Ross, Connie White, Adina Victor, and Trevor Hoyt, evaluated applications based on five criteria: demonstrated innovation, evidence of impact, sustainability by design, degree of influence, and commitment to equity.
"Each one reflects a genuine passion to improve student engagement and learning, and the educators who submitted their innovation are to be commended!" said Jay McTighe, author, educational consultant, and member of the selection panel.
The recognition reflects Cooper's longstanding commitment to educational excellence, innovative teaching practices, and meaningful learning experiences that prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage confidently in an increasingly interconnected world.
As members of the inaugural cohort, Hill and Mata have been invited to attend The 100 Summit, November 16-17 in Orlando, Florida. The two-day gathering will bring together educators and school leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, share successful practices, and explore emerging approaches to teaching and learning. The summit will feature keynote presentations, practitioner-led workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions designed to extend the impact of educational innovation beyond individual classrooms and schools.
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The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.
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The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
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