Balancing life as an elementary school counselor, community board member and mom of four, Angelica Cooper knows firsthand what it means to wear many hats with both grace and grit. As mom to Jasion (20), Jaida (16), Jai’Mon (12) and Jai’Lee (7), living in Pittsburgh’s East End, days often begin before sunrise and stretch late into the evening. Yet amid the busy schedules, Cooper is intentional about creating boundaries, embracing joy and leading with laughter, ensuring that her kids — both the 400 at school and four at home — feel her full presence, compassion and care.
You wear many hats: elementary school counselor, board member and mom. What does a “typical” day look like for you, and how do you find balance in all of it?
A typical day for me can be quite busy and overstimulating yet rewarding! My day starts at 6 a.m. and usually ends around 10 p.m. After a fun-filled busy day as a professional school counselor, I am usually taking my children to one of their many extracurricular activities, doing homework help, dinner and more family time before the day is done. One way we find balance is through laughter and fun. I must be intentional that work time is work time and family time is family time.
As a school counselor, you support so many children through challenges. How do you keep from bringing the emotional weight of your job home while still being present for your own kids?
I remind myself that all children’s wellness and development is important, including my own at home, whether it’s discussing my children’s day on the way to basketball or swim practice or playing “Would You Rather?” at the dinner table for escapism fun. We are a very silly family, and we love to laugh and joke, which can be very helpful in reducing the daily emotional weight. I also remind myself that I am not perfect, and I make sure to give myself grace in navigating a balance in these spaces.
Your children get to watch you juggle career, family and community service. What lessons do you hope they take away from seeing you in all of these roles?
I want my children to see themselves with the same brilliance and potential that I see in them. My hope is that they carry with them the importance of family, culture, values and community, always keeping God at the center. I want our faith and family values to serve as their foundation. I hope they embrace joy and passion, even when faced with challenges, and learn the power of hard work, dedication and perseverance. To me, family, career and service are all vital, but never at the expense of one’s sense of self or wellness. Above all, I hope they understand the importance of both giving and receiving love, knowing they are worthy of the same care and kindness they pour into others.
With such a full plate, how do you carve out time for yourself, and what support systems help make it possible?
I have a wonderful support system! My close family and friends provide love, hugs, advice, encouragement and so much more. They make it possible for me to have alone time and to get away from work and mom duties to have my own fun. They uplift me when I am struggling, they give me space when I need it and they give me grace and understanding.
You serve on the boards of ASSEMBLE Pittsburgh and East Liberty Family Health Care Center. How does your involvement in these organizations influence the way you parent?
I absolutely love serving on the board for these wonderful organizations. The African Ubuntu principle means “I am because we are” and centers on the interconnectedness of community and human relationships. This concept helps to guide the way I parent and even the work I do with my students — that we love on each other, support each other and help each other. I hope my children gain a feeling that such commitment and service is pretty cool and that giving back is satisfying. Let’s hope to throw out more of
what we want back in the world!
Family Favorites
Weekend Activity: Church and family game or movie night
Sports Team: Steelers/Cowboys house divided!
Family Movie: “Home Alone”
Family Restaurant: Applebee’s
Carrie Woodard is a National Certified Counselor, National Certified School Counselor and a Pittsburgh mama of two.
