HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (May 11, 2023) – North Henderson High School’s Dylan King was named the district’s Teacher of the Year on Thursday at the award luncheon sponsored by AdventHealth and Boyd Chevrolet.
A 19-year veteran of HCPS, King teaches 10th through 12th grade science. He holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Western Carolina University.
King’s path to becoming a teacher was not a straight line. It was while in college studying biotechnology with a concentration on genetic research that he began a period of reflection about how he wanted to use his education and what he wanted his life to look like.
“I came to realize that my love for genetics was not in the lab, but in talking to others about it,” King said. He recalled how much he enjoyed being able to help others understand the material. “I also thought back to my time as a camp counselor and how much I enjoyed teaching campers about the outdoors.” It was then that King realized that his life’s mission would be to find joy in helping others reach their potential.
King is considered a “teacher-leader” by his faculty and staff at North. “Being a person that the faculty and administration can turn to for help or advice has been one of my greatest accomplishments,” he said. “ I feel that teachers opening their doors and helping each other is a key to a successful work environment.”
Asked what he believes marked him as an outstanding teacher, King said that it is his philosophy that every student, regardless of their life experiences and previous academic performance can be successful if given a clear objective and a pathway to that success.
King has been a co-advisor for the National Honor Society chapter at North for over a decade. In that capacity, he and his students volunteer their time to tutor at North and in the feeder schools. They also volunteer at Manna Food Bank, raise money for cancer research, aid in campus clean-ups and work closely with the spring games of the Special Olympics.
King participates in the Buddy Walk that benefits the Down Syndrome Alliance and coordinates the school’s Leader in Me initiative. He organizes Project Graduation at North and is a Den Leader with a local Cub Scout chapter. He also coaches a youth soccer program in the community that helps teach young athletes the importance of sportsmanship.
Following Thursday’s reception at Jeter Mountain Farm, King returned to North Henderson High School, where he was greeted by a parade of students and staff.
“This is an exciting moment for the entire North Henderson community,” said Principal Dr. John Shepard. “Mr. King cares unconditionally for his students and strives to provide the highest quality instruction for each of his classes. He makes everyone around him better.”
Like all 23 nominees from each elementary, middle and high school, King was nominated by his peers for the designation of his school’s Teacher of the Year. Following extensive interviews with a selection committee composed of an administrator, parent, board member and the previous teacher of the year, King was selected to represent Henderson County Public Schools as its 2023 Teacher of the Year.
Traditionally, HCPS Teachers of the Year winners receive a commemorative plaque, an all-expense paid trip to a state education conference of their choice, and $1,000 from AdventHealth. Beginning in 2021, the HCPS Teacher of the Year also receives $4,500 toward a vacation getaway of their choice, gifted by Boyd Chevrolet.
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