REMEMBERING DR. SARAH ALLEN, THE EDUCATOR WHO OPENED DOORS FOR LUBBOCK COOPER STUDENTS

REMEMBERING DR. SARAH ALLEN, THE EDUCATOR WHO OPENED DOORS FOR LUBBOCK COOPER STUDENTS

Lubbock Cooper ISD is mourning Dr. Sarah Jo Allen, its director of career and technical education, who died Sept. 29.

Raised in Tulia, Allen earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University before returning to the South Plains. She joined Lubbock Cooper in 2011, later earning a master’s degree from Texas Tech and completing her doctorate in Family and Consumer Sciences Education in 2024.

During 15 years with the district, she helped turn an after school cooking club into a respected Culinary Arts program. Her honors included National Teacher of the Month in 2021 and Texas Family and Consumer Science Teacher of the Year in 2024.

Beyond her classroom accomplishments, Allen was a wife and mother of 2 who loved gardening, traveling and cooking for loved ones. Her obituary remembers her devotion to her family and students.

“She opened doors for Lubbock-Cooper students and staff, loved them, advocated for them,” the district shared.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, 9507 Indiana Avenue.

Our thoughts are with her family, students and colleagues.