Cooper’s Hayley Dant, high school Teacher of Year winner, believes teachers have superpowers

A teacher’s role is a mighty one, says Hayley Dant, a ninth-grade English teacher at Randall K. Cooper High School (Boone County).

“As educators, we are masterminds. We are mighty multitaskers and ultimate decision-makers. We are support systems, problem solvers and, at times, circus performers. However, the most important identity we carry will always be that of teacher,” said Dant, the high school finalist for the 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award. “And in the words of a former student, ‘Teachers have superpowers.’”

Dant was the high school division winner of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Teacher Achievement Awards, an honor announced in a ceremony at the state capitol on Sept. 10.

Top Winner and Kentucky’s Teacher of the Year is Jennifer Montgomery, an English teacher at Eminence Independent Middle School in Trimble County.

As a senior in high school, Dant derived inspiration from her English teacher which set her sights on pursuing a teaching career. Today, this 14-year teaching veteran said her mission in the classroom is to “ensure that every student feels supported, respected and valued.” Daily, she can be heard in her classroom encouraging her students to be better and make good choices.

Discovering she had “superpowers” came about as part of an end-of-year assignment, a reflective essay that encompassed the growth students made during their freshman year. One student, who struggled with anxiety and mental health, worked persistently to overcome a learning disability and negative body issues. Dant worked with the student to develop the skills necessary for him to become academically successful and emotionally healthy.

“Being a teenager is hard,” she said. “Starting high school without friends or real family becomes downright impossible.”

The student wrote a reflective essay, titled “Teachers have Superpowers,” which became the catalyst for Dant to remember the true value of an alliance between teacher and student.

Each student has a different origin story and, she said, the question becomes, “What will we do to make sure they are heard?”

Educators have the opportunity to play a transformative part in the lives of students, but Dant said it is what educators do with that opportunity that defines them.

Dant builds a positive, personal connection with students. She learns their names and makes it a point to say “hi” each day, which, she said, has more of an impact than anyone realizes. She finds out their hobbies, listens to stories about friends and family, and even attempts to listen to their music.

Dant said her goal is to relate to her students. She wants to show each one they are more than just another student.

“There is nothing that says the relationship between teacher and student can’t be symbolic,” she explained. “When reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ with students, we focus on the lesson Atticus teaches Scout about perspective, ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’

“In order to gain insight into what our students experience, we must develop these genuine connections. The indestructible bonds formed with students have empowered me to become a more vigilant listener, protective ‘school mom’ and an overall stronger human being.”

Literary playlist

Dant also uses her superpower to get students engaged in learning.

As she was starting her Choice Novel unit, Dant needed a “hook” to get students energized about the unit. Her solution was to incorporate a “literary playlist,” a project-based learning idea created to meet the learning styles of all students while tapping into interests outside of a typical English classroom. Once she devised the hook, she had to decide how the class could use music to communicate about the characters and themes in a story.

“Music has always been a motivating factor for students,” she said. “ They work more diligently while listening to music and relish in divulging songs that are important to them. It’s been my teaching philosophy to not only make connections with all students, but also to give them opportunities to make connections with others.”

The class scoured through song lyrics from different genres, which opened their eyes to a world beyond the music they were currently listening to. They were tasked with creating their own soundtracks, demonstrating their ability to analyze a text and provide purposeful reasoning.

The students read novels, analyzed characters and themes, and then were ready to dive into their playlists.

“On our ‘Justification Day,’ students presented in literature circles their songs and character/theme connections, justifying why their songs should be chosen for the final playlist,” Dant said.

She said there were thoughtful discussions, critical thinking questions between peers and praise for song selections. Individual voices and views were heard and respected.

After the playlist, the students completed the final puzzle piece – an album cover. The students reconstructed old records to showcase what their literary playlists encompassed. Intricate details and a variety of materials later, she said, “pride radiated” from the students as they shared their hard work in presentations.

“Student choice and student voice are essential in any classroom to build confidence, accountability and ownership in their learning, imperative skills for all students that transfer to real-world situations,” she explained.

Freshman mentor program

Dant not only uses her “superpowers” in the classroom, but also to reach all students – especially freshman high school students. Her work begins the first day the 9th-graders arrive at Randall K. Cooper.

Instituted in 2013, the Freshman Mentor Program (FMP) is a comprehensive transition program made up of students who serve as mentors to the incoming freshmen.

As FMP co-director for the past seven years, Dant welcomes the incoming freshmen and introduces them to their mentors. She acknowledges that the transition from middle to high school is not only very pivotal but also intimidating for students. She said it is imperative that they have proper guidance as they usher in the next phase of their educational careers.

“I had no idea how much of an impact FMP made on others until I became a part of it,” she said.

FMP consists of a diverse group of 70 upperclassmen who serve as role models to the freshmen class. For 30 minutes of the school day, the upper-class students meet with the freshmen to guide them through relevant lessons like learning school traditions and developing empathy, while also sharing their own experiences.

“Bonds are formed through meaningful conversations and genuine interactions,” she said.

The mentor program was put to the test several years ago when a student unexpectedly lost a family member.

“Her sorrow was overpowering, and I knew she needed as much support as possible,” said Dant, who immediately informed the mentors of the situation.

As the weeks passed, the student developed coping skills learned from her mentors and began to get her spark back even as she waded through the grief. Years later, the student still talks to Dant about the life-changing role the mentors had in shaping who she became.

The mentors also learn from the experience.

“Each year,” she said, “we see our mentors’ minds opened, … making them better humans in the process.”

And that is a part of her overall goal. Long after students leave Dant’s, she continues to encourage them. She views them as students for life.

Dant, who resides in Burlington with her husband, Derek and their 6-year-old son, was gifted the superhero name “Dantinator” and she tries to live up to it by impressing on her students to: “Be good humans. Make good choices.”

The Kentucky Teacher of the Year will receive a $10,000 stipend and Dent will receive $3000 — in addition to the custom-designed glass award commemorating the honor.

Kentucky Department of Education

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