Christina Tate Cook

age: 36 | Art Teacher | Pleasant Grove Intermediate School

Believe it or not, Christina Cook’s teaching career began when she was 4 years old with her grandmother as her student.  She would “play-teach” her family members lessons from encyclopedias before she could even read, creating lesson plans based on the pictures.  She took teaching very seriously ... assignments were elaborately decorated with “fantastic job” stickers and doodles.  She explains, “Through these childhood experiences, I developed a philosophy of education that is entirely based on encouraging children to become excited about education.”

Christina believes that the most important element in an educator’s job description is to inspire students.  And she has the opportunity to do just that while teaching art to approximately 465 students each week.

Finding the courage to pursue her true passion of teaching art is Christina’s greatest professional accomplishment.  (She formerly worked as a Registered Nurse at Wadley Regional Medical Center and CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in critical care and pediatrics.) In 2017, she received the honor of Elementary Art Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas, a feat in which she is very proud.  She has also received the Arts Educator Award from TRAHC.

A member of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, Christina enjoys arts outreach in the Texarkana community.  She annually participates in the Women for the Arts’ Party with Picassos, has been a director of the Texas Elementary Art Meet involving all Region 8 schools, and oversees a fifth grade art club which focuses on community involvement.  

Personally, Christina feels fortunate to be married to her best friend, Coby, and has a sweet 4-year-old son, Wyatt.  She enjoys spending her weekends with her family at Lake Greeson on their houseboat, fishing and swimming.

Best piece of advice:

“Kindness is contagious.” —Nancy Tate, Christina’s mother

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I once had to evacuate a subway car that broke down in Paris, France!”