Hayley Dant

Boone County
Randall K. Cooper High School

I have known since I was in elementary school that I wanted to be a teacher. From playing “school” with my best friend (who is also a teacher now!) to building relationships with my own teachers, I knew in my heart that was what I was meant to be, but I truly never knew what educational path I wanted to take until my senior year of high school. My senior English teacher was my inspiration to pursue English/secondary education, and I will forever thank her for that.

As teachers, we are constantly asked our “why.” And no matter how many times I get asked, my answer stays constant: my students – both past and present. Building strong relationships is so important, so I make it my mission to ensure that every student feels supported, respected, and valued. Teaching is so much more than a “job.” It is not only my “career,” but also my passion and purpose. There are days (okay, even sometimes whole school years!) that are undeniably challenging and make you question if you are even making a difference. Is this what I am supposed to be doing? And then you see them. You see the faces of your students who look to you for guidance, for support, for growth, for love. They are the reason why I do what I do. They are my students long after they leave my classroom; they are my students for life.