Mook Memorial Draws Mass

More than 300 pay their respects at Corona del Mar High to a beloved teacher and union leader.

NEWPORT BEACH She wasn't just a teacher's union president and longtime journalism teacher. She practically wrote the book on how teachers should be treated, and she literally wrote the book on how journalism should be taught.
And in the early 1990s, when school restructuring and a county embezzlement scandal threatened the sanctity of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and sent teachers and administrators into a frenzy, it was teacher's union president Linda Mook who eased their fears.

More than 300 people laughed a little and cried a little Wednesday as they attended a memorial in Mook's honor. The memorial was in the gymnasium at Corona del Mar High School, the same school where she taught for 27 years. Mook died Dec. 30 at 62 and was buried in Missouri.

One by one colleagues and friends walked to the podium Wednesday to pay tribute to their friend. Speakers included Newport-Mesa Supt. Robert Barbot, Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers President Jim Rogers and past president Maya Decker, California Federation of Teachers President Mary Bergan and several others close to Mook.

District administrators were saddened when Mook announced that, after nine years at the local helm, she would join the California Federation of Teachers as an educational issues coordinator. "One of the things that held her back was agonizing over leaving the local [teacher's union]," Bergan said. "What tipped the balance in our favor was the assurance that she could be based right here in Costa Mesa." She remained local while lobbying for teachers' rights at the state level and helped facilitate the ins and outs of No Child Left Behind.

The Corona del Mar High School Madrigal Singers performed "Across the Wide Missouri" in her honor Wednesday. Local school officials described Mook as an energetic and persistent multitasker and mentor. Rogers showed the attendees a framed picture, reading "It's Possible," that still hangs in the union's office so education advocates will be reminded of her philosophy. "Linda was my mentor," Rogers said. "She saw something in me that I didn't even see, and that gave me the confidence to stand up here today and represent the 1,200 teachers in the Newport-Mesa district. And I'm very thankful for that." Barbot said Mook taught him that many of the district's problems could be solved by bringing people together. "She always had a wit about her but always held you accountable," he said. " We have the ability to work together to solve problems but to also stand alone for integrity."

Mook wrote four chapters in "Practical Ideas for Teaching Journalism," which many teachers consider the eminent book on journalism instruction.
Donations to the "Linda Mook Memorial Scholarship Fund" should be sent to the district at 2985 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 92626; or to the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers at 2900 Bristol St., Suite C107, Costa Mesa, 92626.

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