University of Virginia Library

ROLAND E. COOK

Roanoke County's school system is under the able
direction of Mr. Roland E. Cook, an educator whose
services in the training of young people have won
him recognition in educational
circles of Virginia.
Mr. Cook has
devoted his life to
teaching and to the administration
of school
affairs, in both of which
he has been eminently
successful. He was
born at Blue Ridge
Springs, Virginia, April
1st, 1874, and is a son
of Mr. and Mrs. William
H. Cook. Graduating
as a Bachelor of
Arts from Roanoke
College, he accepted a
position as principal of
the Vinton School and
there remained for five
years, giving to his work a painstaking care and
intelligent judgment that laid the foundation for his
future career. He gave up his work in Vinton to
accept the place of principal of the high school in
Blacksburg. He was appointed Superintendent of
the Roanoke County schools to succeed Mr. R. C.
Stearnes, and after serving out Mr. Stearnes's term,
he was chosen Superintendent for a full term of
four years. Being ambitious to see the school system
of the county win a place in the front rank of
Virginia's educational institutions, Mr. Cook has
sought in every way to encourage his teachers to
give close attention to modern methods and ideas,
to follow progressive lines, and to give to their instruction
those characteristics which appeal to
younger minds and arouse their interest and attention.
In the policies adopted by him in his management
of the schools, Mr. Cook has been earnestly
supported by the public, which recognizes in him a
zealous educator, who is striving to secure the very
best results. While naturally intent upon the development
of the county's educational enterprises in
the broadest and most comprehensive sense, Mr.
Cook never loses sight of those little details which
mean so much in the final success of any undertaking.
Under his direction, the teachers are enthusiastic,
earnest, always anxious and willing to
exert themselves in behalf of their pupils and to give
them the best training possible.

Mr. Cook married Miss Ella Bullard, and they
have one child. His home is in Salem, and he is a
member of the Salem Methodist Church. The
friends of Mr. Cook do not hesitate to predict that
the future has in store for him many distinctions,
and they feel that the splendid character of his work
will elevate him to the highest position among Virginia's
educators.