Bernell Cook is the Executive Director of the Division of Federal Support and Grantee Relations, in the Office of Operations at the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE). With an extensive and robust career in education, he has been with the Louisiana Department Education (LDE) for approximately seventeen years.

In his current leadership position, he oversees the effective implementation of several federal programs: Title I, Part A, C, and D, Title II Part A, Title III Part A, Title IV, Part A, Title V, and Title IX, under ESSA. As Executive Director, his responsibilities also include supporting the LDE’s design, training, and approval process of new Super Application. He also is responsible for the oversight of the Grants Management team at the LDOE and serves as the lead liaison in connecting the work of the ESSA programs with all other offices of the LDOE.

Bernell currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Title I Directors as treasurer. He has a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Southern University, A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Via alternative certification, he achieved NCLB’s Highly Qualified status in Secondary Mathematics (2007). A former middle and high school mathematics and science teacher, he also holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Bernell resides in Louisiana’s capital, and enjoys spending time with his precious wife and daughter.