Some teachers have an undeniable love for the job. A passion that shows through in the daily classroom lessons with their students. A desire to connect with their students and help guide them through life. A willingness to listen and lend a compassionate hand through the formative years of their lives.
Destiny Cooper was one of those teachers.
In 2014, Destiny also co-funded Humanities Amped, a program still in practice in the Baton Rouge School District. While the program serves many purposes, one of the main goals is to help students feel more connected to their schooling, allowing them a better education and increasing graduation rates.
Destiny’s former students have much to say about the impact that Mrs. Cooper, or ‘Coop’, made in their lives.
But something happened in 2022 that would change everything.
On May 3, 2022, Destiny got up and left her home. She didn’t take anything with her. No cell phone, no money, no clothing….just nothing but the clothes on her back.
Destiny had been having some recent mental health struggles, mainly battling some PTSD symptoms. On the day she left, however, she was not acting like herself at all.
Destiny’s large support system- including family, friends, coworkers, and even students and former students, began looking for Destiny.
Some sightings came in, sightings that further worried her family.
The search for Destiny may be a matter of life and death. Yet, here we are, two years later, and Destiny, Mrs. Cooper, is still missing.
Destiny Cooper was a beloved teacher. She had been teaching at McKinley High School and in addition to being loved by her students, she was respected by all of her colleagues.
In 2014 she started a program with another educator. A program to help students with their education and moving through life. The program was called Humanities Amped and is still in practice today.
In 2019, she received the Angel Award from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation for her work with the students.
The website for Humanities Amped has some great information on Destiny and how she affected those around her.
Just listen to what her students and coworkers have to say about Mrs. Cooper, or ‘Coop’ as she was often called.
Evan:
“One thing that Mrs. Cooper instilled into me was effort. Honestly, I remember Mrs. Cooper trying so hard with some of my classmates. They would joke around as kids, not knowing any better. But the effort that I saw her make, especially at that time when we weren’t taking it seriously, she still believed in us. That gives me motivation that I now use in my everyday life. If she didn’t give up on us; that makes me think, why should I give up?”
Amelia:
She didn’t give up on people. She truly believed that if I can show this person that this is worthy, even if they shut me down two or three times, I’m not going to give up. She brought genuine nurturing and caring of others. And she knew just what to do in really hard situations.
Emma:
For me it’s the focus that she had on integrity. The idea that if that remains intact, the rest of the world can crumble around you, but integrity is something you can always stand on.
Suredrika:
A moment [that stands out] was when one of our students passed. I didn’t know what to do. The students found out that morning. I have never had to deal with so many young kids with a loss. Destiny was supposed to come in that day and she asked me, “What should we do?” I didn’t know. So when she came in she told the class, “If you want to talk I’m here; if you don’t want to talk, I’ll be here.” And so then some of them started talking to her. She made our kids feel comfortable, and they were able to tell her how they felt. She was able to help them feel better. It helped me in the moment too because I didn’t know what to do, and she really helped me.
Destiny’s entire career was built on her passion for her students and her work.
But something would change all of that in 2022.
Her family noticed changes in her behavior, such as sometimes forgetting who people were, and what she was doing.
This is what happened on May 3, 2022. Destiny suddenly got up, and left her home, leaving all of her belongings behind. She didn’t take her call phone, nor did she take any money or clothing.
Her family was worried about her and began searching for her, but hopeful she would return on her own.
That didn’t happen, however, and soon Destiny was reported missing.
Sightings of Destiny began coming in, and some of those sightings were credible. She was seen on the streets in Baton Rouge and Hammond, Louisiana.
She was reported as appearing in very poor condition, emaciated and dehydrated, in great need of medical help.
Family and friends of Destiny were frantically searching the entire area in hopes of finding Destiny so they could get her help before it is too late.
Everyone has asked that if you see Destiny, do not approach her, but rather take a photo of her and contact the authorities. Because of her fragile state, no one wants to scare her off even more.
Destiny vanished in May of 2022, a little more than two years ago. Baton Rouge has some tremendously hot summers that would make living on the streets dangerous.
The city also sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and has several swamps and bayous surrounding the area.
Hammond, another city where Destiny was sighted, is about an hour’s drive to the east.
Map of Hammond, LA and Baton Rouge, LAPhoto byGoogle Maps
It seems the entire greater area of Baton Route was a focus of the search, but seeing as two years has gone by, Destiny Cooper could be anywhere.
Destiny is described as a caucasian female, standing 5’3” and weighing around 110 pounds when she was last seen in May 2022.
She has short greying brown hair and brown eyes.
She was last seen wearing a faded red t-shirt and blue jeans.
Destiny has a tattoo of the words "hope is a function of struggle" in black script running up her spine, ending in a blue and green inked design just below the nape of her neck.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Destiny Cooper is asked to contact the Hammond Police Department at 985-277-5700.
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