Tennessee Teacher of the Year leads unique fire management course

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The 2024-2025 Tennessee Teacher of the Year has been crowned: Bryan Kerns of Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport City Schools.

Kerns has spent 17 years of a 20-year teaching career as an Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 teacher at Dobyns-Bennett High School. However, Kerns also holds a unique position — fire management instructor.

The Teacher of the Year helped develop the Dobyns-Bennett Fire Program, an opportunity which includes the D-B Prescribed Fire team and full progression of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Fire Management Services courses.

“Students were like, ‘Tell us more fire stories,'” said Kerns. “I started the club in 2018, 2019, thinking, you know, I’ll have some kids come after school and I’ll tell fire stories.”

However, the program took off. Last year, Kerns said 400 students requested a spot in the fire program.

After learning about fire management, over 30 students have started careers in the fire and emergency services industry.

“Whether they go into the career or not, they’re getting some confidence, and then that confidence can propel them into whatever you want to do,” said Kerns.

Kerns said he takes pride in giving students who may not be involved in other extracurriculars a place and a purpose.

“I said, ‘Guys, y’all are part of something bigger than yourself when you take a fire class’,” recalled Kerns.

Kerns was a wildland firefighter in Utah for several years and worked with several forestry departments on controlled burns, including the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

In the Dobyns-Bennett Fire Program, students learn about the different types of fires, how to put on full firefighter PPE, administer CPR, and other practical skills. The students even set fire to a hillside, learning about fire ecology.

News 2 asked Kerns his advice for other teachers.

“Finding something that’s fun for you and and fun for students,” said Kerns. “No matter if it’s math or history or English, whatever it might be, make it fun, make it inspiring, and shoot, maybe just your joy of coming to school will inspire kids.”

Kerns will serve as an ambassador for education throughout the state for the 2024-25 school year and represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

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Teacher of the Year finalists included Kaity Castleman, a fourth grade teacher at Hickory Creek Elementary School in Warren County, who was recognized as the grand division winner for Middle Tennessee.

Natalee Elkins, choral director Holston Middle School in Knox County Schools, was recognized as the grand division winner for East Tennessee. Jenny Kiesel, biology and AP environmental science teacher at Lakeland Preparatory School in Lakeland School System, was recognized as the grand division winner for West Tennessee.

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