At Durant High School, Kandace Cook is helping students see science as more than just a subject. It’s a way to better understand the world around them. As a biology and AP Biology teacher, Cook brings energy and purpose into her classroom, encouraging students to think critically and stay curious.
Now in her seventh year in education and fifth year at Durant, Cook also brings experience from her time working at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Her path into teaching was shaped by both her love for science and her desire to make it accessible to others.
“I have always loved science, and I know that most people don’t,” Cook said. “I like being able to show my students how important it is to know how everything is intertwined in our world.”
Cook’s teaching philosophy centers on hands-on, place-based learning, where students are actively involved in the learning process. She believes engagement leads to stronger understanding and helps students retain knowledge beyond the classroom.
A typical day in her classroom reflects that approach. Students participate in interactive lessons designed to deepen their understanding, often through real-world connections. One example is an activity modeling ecosystems to demonstrate how changes — like the introduction of an invasive species — can impact the balance of nature.
Cook said one of the most meaningful aspects of teaching high school students is the opportunity to have in-depth conversations and connect lessons to everyday life, helping students recognize the value of what they are learning.
Like many educators, Cook faces challenges that go beyond instruction, including managing multiple classes, adapting lessons on the fly and meeting the needs of students at different levels. Despite this, she remains focused on encouraging students to do their best and celebrating their progress along the way.
Rather than pointing to a single defining moment, Cook values the collection of everyday victories, from students passing their first tests to former students returning for help.
“I do not expect them to remember everything I taught them,” Cook said. “But I hope they develop the skills it takes to learn something and apply it in their future.”
Outside the classroom, Cook enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughters, who continue to inspire her both personally and professionally.
