Mook memorial draws mass

Jeff Benson

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.

* JEFF BENSON covers education and may be reached at (714)

966-4617.