Dave Cooper’s writing reflects his experiences teaching history from 1995 to 2025, martial arts since 1997, and having worked in three Pennsylvania museums. His writing spans genres and literary forms—from historical fiction to classroom resources to nature poetry. Saltwater Media published Dave’s first novel, Jimmy Grits, Private Eye in October of 2024.  The National Middle School Association published Dave’s first article in its magazine Middle Ground in 2003. Since then, his trade and general interest articles have appeared in a variety of periodicals including Teaching History, Middle Level Learning, Family Chronicle, Teaching PreK-8, College Bound, and Pennsylvania Educational Leadership. His fiction and poetry have appeared in Timber Creek Review, Yorick Magazine, NFG, and several anthologies published by Cat and Mouse Press of Lewes Delaware. You will often find Dave and his wife Judy walking their puggle Aubrey in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Publishing History

Novel

Jimmy Grits, Private Eye. Saltwater Media Publishing. October 2024

Awards

2015 Philadelphia Writers’ Conference Words on the Wall Poetry Competition Second Place Award.

2013 Philadelphia Writers’ Conference Second Place Award For Short Story. “The Freshet Run”

2012 Philadelphia Writers’ Conference First Place Award In Literary Short Fiction.  “Jacob’s Fancies”

Peer Reviewed Journals

“Dr. Gesundheit and the Mysteries of Snake Valley: A Mini-unit on Archaeology.” The Social Studies. Heldref Publications. March/April 2003. pg. 69-73

“Harnessing Personal Interests To Create Social And Emotional Knowledge Based Programs.”  Pennsylvania Education Leadership, Vol. 23 #2.  Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.  Spring, 2004. pg 26-31

“Design A Book: A Quest In Ancient Egypt.” Middle Level Learning. National Council For The Social Studies. May/June 2005. pg M9-M15

“The 1719 Herr House: Germanic Architecture In Early America.” Journal Of The Lancaster County Historical Society, Vol. 108, #2. Lancaster County Historical Society. Summer 2006. pg 60-69

General Interest & Trade Magazines

“Integrating Math and Social Studies Through Word Problems.”  Middle Ground Vol. 6, #3. National Middle School Association. February 2003. pg. 43-45

“Welcome To The Real World.” Teaching PreK-8 Magazine. Vol. 32, #4 Early Years, Inc. October 2003. pg. 56-57

“Budgeting Fundamentals Beginning With ‘Why?’” College Bound Magazine (National Spring 2003). Ramholtz Publishing, Inc. pg. 30,100

“Inspiration Through Faculty Writing Groups.” Middle Ground Vol. 7, #4.  National Middle School Association. April 2004. pg. 39-40

“Interviewing Plain Jane.” Family Chronicle Magazine.  Mooreshead Publishing. October 2005. p. 52

“Audacity: The Interviewer’s Digital Toolbox”  Family Chronicle.  Mooreshead Publishing. December 2006. p. 14

“Kite Flying– Not Just For Fun.” Boys’ Life Magazine. Boy Scouts Of America. March 2008. p. 10

Short Fiction

“The Dredgers.”  Timber Creek Review, Vol. 12 #2.  Summer 2006 Greensboro: NC

“The Freshet Run.” Yorick Magazine. Summer 2013 New Jersey

“Moonwalker.” Beach Pulp Anthology. Cat and Mouse Press. Spring 2019 Lewes: DE

“Lost and Found.” Beach Dreams Anthology. Cat and Mouse Press. Fall 2019 Lewes: DE

“Lucky the Chicken.” Beach Secrets Anthology. Cat and Mouse Press. Fall 2021 Lewes: DE

“Summer Valentine’s Day.” Beach Holidays Anthology. Cat and Mouse Press. Fall 2022 Lewes: DE

Collections

From Rough Waters: Three Short Stories, Microfiction, and Photography. Ebook. Amazon and Barnes and Noble. September 2025

This Way to the Egress: Three Short Stories, Microfiction, Poetry and Photography. Ebook. Amazon and Barnes and Noble. September 2025

Book Reviews

Review of Teaching Reading in Social Studies, Science and Math by Laura Robb. Middle Ground. National Middle School Association. October 2003. p. 46

Poetry

“Planting In Autumn.” NFG. NFG Media. Toronto: Canada July 2005. p. 25

Teacher Resources

“We’re a Little Like Lincoln– A Social-Emotional Learning Mini-Lesson.” Teachers Pay Teachers. November 2025. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Were-a-Little-Like-Lincoln-A-Social-Emotional-Learning-Mini-Lesson-14766240

“Academic Intervention– Getting Back on Track.” Teachers Pay Teachers. October 2025. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Academic-Intervention-Getting-Back-on-Track-14618102

“Prioritizing– What Should I do First?” Teachers Pay Teachers. September 2025. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Prioritizing-What-Should-I-Do-First-An-Exercise-For-Executive-Functioning-14406203

“George Washington Learns Civility.” Teachers Pay Teachers. April 2025. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/George-Washington-Learns-Civility-Character-Ed-Through-A-Primary-Source-13334888

“Dr. Gesundheit and the Mystery of Snake Valley.” Teachers Pay Teachers. February 2025. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Gesundheit-and-the-Mystery-of-Snake-Valley-An-Archeology-Mini-unit-13009389

“The Civil War Begins.” Teachers Pay Teachers. September 2024. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Civil-War-Begins-11969003

“Agribusiness And Geography: Building A Farming Supply Store.” Teachers Pay Teachers. November 2012.  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Agribusiness-And-Geography-Building-A-Farming-Supply-Store

“Adventure On The Nile.” Teachers Pay Teachers. November 2012. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Adventure-On-The-Nile-Word-Problems

“Save The Mississippi Word Problems.” Teachers Pay Teachers. December 2012. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Save-The-Mississippi-Word-Problems

“Teaching Writing With Portfolios.”  Teachers Pay Teachers. January 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teaching-Writing-With-Portfolios-Across-The-Subject-Areas-527142

“Federalism And The U.S. Government” Teachers Pay Teachers. February 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Federalism-And-The-US-Government-Reading-Strategy

“Dewey Meets Jefferson: A Discourse on Democracy In Education” Teachers Pay Teachers. March 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dewey-Meets-Jefferson-A-Discourse-On-Democracy-In-Education

“Supplying Washington’s Army: Revolution & Articles Of Confederation” Teachers Pay Teachers. April 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-US-Articles-Of-Confederation-Success-Or-Failure-A-Reading-Role-play-639957

“Analyzing The U.S. Declaration of Independence” Teachers Pay Teachers. May 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Analyzing-The-US-Declaration-of-Independence-713762

“Fox, Rabbit, Eagles and More: Animal Photos for Bulletin Boards and Handouts” Teachers Pay Teachers. July 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fox-Rabbit-Eagles-and-More-Animal-Photos-for-Bulletin-Boards-and-Handouts-779859

“U.S. Match and Discuss Cards Sets 1 and 2: Path To Revolution & Revolution.” Teachers Pay Teachers. July 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/US-Match-And-Discuss-Cards-Sets-1-and-2-Path-To-Revolution-and-Revolution-801615

“Two Reading Strategies To Engage Students In Current Events Problem Solving” Teachers Pay Teachers. September 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Two-Reading-Strategies-To-Engage-Students-In-Current-Events-Problem-Solving-865208

“Washington, D.C. and The Five Themes of Geography” Teachers Pay Teachers. November 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Washington-DC-and-The-Five-Themes-of-Geography-1002871

“Quotes and Nature Posters: Reflective Writing Activity” Teachers Pay Teachers. December 2013. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Quotes-and-Nature-Posters-Reflective-Writing-Prompt-Activity-Set-1-1032614

“U.S. Match and Discuss Cards Sets 3 and 4: The Declaration and Constitution.” Teachers Pay Teachers. February 2014. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/US-Match-And-Discuss-Cards-Sets-3-and-4-The-Declaration-and-Constitution-1116983

“U.S. Match and Discuss Cards Combo (Sets 1-4): Path To Revolution To Constitution.” Teachers Pay Teachers. February 2014. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/US-Match-And-Discuss-Cards-Combo-Sets-1-4-Path-To-Revolution-To-Constitution-1117193

“Previewing Textbooks: Three Ways to Introduce Students To Their Books.” Teachers Pay Teachers. April 2014. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Previewing-Textbooks-Three-Ways-To-Introduce-Students-To-Their-Books-1278074

“The Industrial Revolution: Cottage Industries To Factories.” Teachers Pay Teachers. May 2014. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Industrial-Revolution-Cottage-Industries-To-Factories-1263867

“Investigating The Past Through Primary and Secondary Sources” Teachers Pay Teachers. August 2014. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Investigating-The-Past-Through-Primary-and-Secondary-Sources-1358061

“DBQ & Persuasive Writing Prompt: Thomas Jefferson’s Views On Education” Teachers Pay Teachers. September 2014. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/DBQ-Persuasive-Writing-Prompt-Thomas-Jeffersons-Views-On-Education-1435098

“Niagra Falls: Photos for Bulletin Boards and Handouts” Teachers Pay Teachers. August 2015. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Niagra-Falls-Photos-For-Bulletin-Boards-and-Handouts-1452977

“The United States Federal Government’s Three Branches” Teachers Pay Teachers. August 2015. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-United-States-Federal-Governments-Three-Branches-1602701

“A Word Waterfall And Four More Academic Vocabulary Activities: Teachers Pay Teachers. August 2015. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Word-Waterfall-and-Four-More-Academic-Vocabulary-Activities-1685628

“A New And Uneasy U.S.: Political Parties And Crises In The Late 18th Century” August 2015. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-New-and-Uneasy-US-Political-Parties-and-Crises-in-the-Late-18th-Century-2003100

“Historic Philadelphia Landmarks: Photography For The Classroom” August 2015. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Historic-Philadelphia-Landmarks-Photography-For-The-Classroom-2006711

“Waves, Beaches, and Bays: Photographs for Bulletin Boards and Handouts” Teachers Pay Teachers. October 2015. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Waves-Beaches-and-Bays-Photographs-for-Bulletin-Boards-and-Handouts-2128941

“Life and Works of Thomas Paine: Text, Reading Strategy, and Two DBQ Activities” December 2015. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Life-and-Works-of-Thomas-Paine-Text-Reading-Strategy-and-Two-DBQ-Activities-2270795?aref=m4fewilz

“The Three Branches Memory Game” May 2016. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Three-Branches-Memory-Game-2554400

“Writing Nature Haiku” June 2016.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Nature-Haiku-2593711

“Behavior Management Tools: Goals, Monitoring, Reflection, & Conflict Resolution.” Teachers Pay Teachers. July 2016. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Management-Tools-Goals-Monitoring-Reflection-Conflict-Resolution-2645127

“Resources for Mentoring Student Teachers and Teaching Interns.” Teachers Pay Teachers. June 2017. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Resources-For-Mentoring-Student-Teachers-and-Teaching-Interns-3205452