[2][3][4] Cooper began his work in the education field and taught at Woods Post Office near Panola, Texas, before serving as President of Henderson Male and Female College from 1873 to 1879.
[2] He was also the Texas State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1886-1890, and enacted several reforms creating standards across the board for high schools.
Under Coopers's supervision, Galveston schools received the only gold medal for the American South at the Paris Exposition for best schoolwork.
[2][4] Cooper resigned from his position as president on March 31, 1902, due to student protest following an unusual occurrence.
[2][3] Here, he headed a building program, improved the curriculum, secured James Simmons’ estate for the school, and doubled enrollment.
[2] In 1921, he served as Chair of the State Educational Survey and was a one-term President of the Association of Texas Colleges in 1923.