Expanding young minds through math and music

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson

Havre Middle School music and math teacher Darla Cook listens during class Thursday afternoon to sixth-grader Vander Swensen rehearse his musical part in the school's upcoming "The Wizard of Oz" concert, in which Swensen is playing the Scarecrow. The concert will be Cook's final production due to her retirement at the end of this academic school year. Cook has been a math and music teacher for 36 years. "The Wizard of Oz" concert will feature music from the musicals "The Sound of Music," "Mamma Mia," "The Wizard of Oz," "Jersey Boys" and "High School Musical." The concert will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17.

For 36 years, Darla Cook has helped expand students' minds in math and music. Now the Havre Middle School math and choir teacher is preparing to step down.

She started teaching in Havre at the former Havre Junior High School on 3rd Avenue in 1976. When Havre Middle School was built in 1983, she joined the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in the move.

Math and music might seem like a strange combination, but, according to Cook, the combination is quite complementary.

"I used to think it was strange, but the research states that people who are musicians and use both of their hands use both sides of the brain, " Cook said. "So by using both hands at the same time, reading, math and science are higher in musicians.

"Many of my advanced math students are in math and choir and many take piano lessons. "

She has always enjoyed seeing students making those connections and especially seeing how her classes affected students years down the line.

"For teachers who actually make a difference in kids' lives, when they come back years later and say 'I remember when I sang that song', or when someone remembers something in math in a fun way — some of them are teaching math — it's a good feeling for me, " Cook said.

It's those students, and watching their progress and growth, that Cook said she'll miss the most after leaving.

"I'm lucky in math. I sometimes get some (students) for three years, " Cook said. "I love watching their growth from shy singers to singing harmonies or solos. I like to see how they succeed. "

While she appreciates the students, the administrators Cook has worked with are big admirers of hers.

"(Math and choir) is not a very typical combination, and she's certainly demonstrated excellence on both sides, " Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson said. "Anyone who has seen a choir program at HMS can see how much she puts into them. There are a lot of students that those are their fondest memories of school. "

Cook decided to retire this year because her husband, Jim Cook, is also retiring from his work with the City of Havre.

"I want to spend time with my husband and family while I'm still able to, " Cook said.

As a parting message, an observation she's made in her decades of education experience, Cook wants to remind parents about their importance in their child's education and future.

"Even though teachers are very important, parents are still the most important factor in students' lives, " Cook said. "I would encourage parents to support, persevere and bug their children whenever necessary.

"When I see kids with parents supporting them, they can really fly."