For Ryan Cook, education is about more than just teaching facts—it’s about shaping independent thinkers who want to improve the world. “I like working with students to develop them into independent critical thinkers who want to improve the world,” he said. As a world history and psychology teacher at Durant High School, as well as the head coach for the girls’ soccer team, Cook is passionate about helping students grow both inside and outside the classroom.
Now in his fourth year at Durant, Cook took a unique path to the high school classroom. Before teaching, he worked in education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University as an Academic Advisor for the TRIO Talent Search program. “I helped first-generation, low-income students learn more about opportunities to further their education,” he explained. That experience fueled his desire to work directly with students and make an impact at the high school level.
One of the biggest influences on his teaching career was his own education. “Dr. Hall was my first professor of psychology, and she made the class so much fun and interesting to learn about,” he recalled. That engaging approach to learning is something he brings into his own classroom. “I like that moment when a student who’s been struggling with a concept gets something. That ‘aha’ moment when it clicks is wonderful to witness,” he said. “I also love being a resource for students to come to when they need help.”
As a coach, Cook carries the same philosophy from his classroom onto the soccer field. He believes in building strong relationships with his students and players, emphasizing that the best educators don’t take themselves too seriously. “The best way to reach students is to relate to them and be genuine in building connections,” he said.
Outside of school, Cook enjoys time with his family. He is married to Kandace Cook, who also teaches at Durant High School, and they have three daughters. Whether in the classroom or on the field, Cook is dedicated to helping students succeed and making a lasting impact on their lives.
