Northwest Heights Elementary School STEM teacher Kasey Bennett, who is a top 10 finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, was recognized during a recent meeting of the Durant Board of Education.
Bennett was the Durant School District’s Teacher of the Year for the 20242025 school year. She has more than 14 years of experience and brings a rich blend of classroom experience, instructional leadership, and deep-rooted passion for serving children.
“Her journey into teaching began unexpectedly, shaped by years spent watching her parents, both educators, pour love and stability into their students,” Superintendent Mark Moring said, reading from a bio about Bennett. “Before entering the classroom, Bennett worked in banking, insurance and later in training and development for the Choctaw Nation, where she discovered her talent for teaching adults.
“That experience ultimately led her to pursue education, beginning as a kindergarten assistant before becoming a classroom teacher, virtual instructor, I’m guessing during COVID, math interventionist, and now a STEM specialist. Her career reflects a willingness to embrace challenge and change, noting that change is invigorating for the soul.”
Moring said that Bennett’s commitment to students is grounded in compassion, high expectations, and a belief in the transformative power of school.
“A sign she has carried to every classroom she has taught in reads, ‘Someday I will change the world,’ a message she strives to live out and empower her students with daily.”
Moring said they were talking about STEM education in the office recently.
“What I like about it is it’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and what I like about it is, people take that technology, but it’s really kids being creative and not just putting a computer screen in front of them and hav- ing that teaching them to do something,” Moring said.
NWH Principal Taylor Downs said Bennett has a classroom that all her students look forward to going to every week.
“They’re never bored in there,” Downs said. “Kasey raises Kate (daughter) and Larry (husband) and still has time to have something to do for those kids. She’s involved in STEM nights, and she’s got people up there judging. She’s growing hydroponic lettuce to eat for lunch at least three times a week.
“We have an outdoor greenhouse. She’s growing things in the courtyard of the school. I mean, it’s never ending. She’s always got something going for those students whether they’re outside, and if we can’t find her or her students, we know that they’re somewhere around the school doing something.”
Downs said the children and staff love what Bennett is doing.
“I think I said in an interview for district teacher of the year that she’s just the coworker that you want,” Downs said. “She’s the teacher you want for your kiddos and she’s there for whenever you need her. It doesn’t have to be STEM-related. She’s going to be there for you and we’re very, very lucky, very blessed and the state is blessed to have her represent in the top 10 teacher of the year for sure.”
Bennett said that it has been an honor.
“The support from everyone has been incredible,” Bennett said.
The Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will be announced on June 5.
