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School system honors Teacher of the Year

North Henderson High School Science Teacher Dylan King (right) received a plaque from Henderson County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett (left) after being named the Teacher of the Year for 2023.

By Amy McCraw, Published: May 12, 2023

As an undergraduate at the University of Massachusetts, Dylan King spent so much time in a lab studying biotechnology that he eventually received an offer to stay there after his graduation.

The university wanted the young scientist to keep his head under one of its microscopes researching genetics.
But King felt he was destined for something else. He wanted to share his love for science with others.
“I realized I really loved teaching about what I was doing in a lab,” he said. “I looked back, and I said, ‘I think I want to teach.’”
Luckily for students in Henderson County, King pursued his love after earning a bachelor’s degree in gene analysis. He returned to school and earned a master’s degree in education from Western Carolina University.
King then put his degrees to work teaching science and is now a 19-year veteran of Henderson County Public Schools.
The school system on Thursday named King, who is a science teacher at North Henderson High School, its 2023 Teacher of the Year.
“I’m honored to be selected from an extraordinary group of teachers in Henderson County,” King said shortly after he was recognized during a luncheon at Jeter Mountain Farm. “I’m humbled because I know it's not just me making this journey. So many other teachers have helped me. It’s a team effort.”
Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett during the luncheon praised all the individual teachers of the year from each of the county’s elementary, middle and high schools.
“This is one of the most prestigious recognitions a teacher can receive as you were selected by your peers,” he said.
Garrett said King showed remarkable leadership and teaching abilities throughout his career and is respected by his colleagues and peers
At the core of King’s teaching philosophy “lies an unwavering belief in the potential of every student, regardless of their background or past experiences,” Garrett said.
King also serves the community in a variety of ways including tutoring, volunteering at food banks, fundraising for charitable foundations and supporting Special Olympics among others.
The luncheon also featured Hendersonville High School Senior Class President Lillie Connet as its keynote speaker.
Teachers do more than teach students information, she said. They inspire students and give them the confidence and support they need to succeed.
“Teachers are so important to society. I’ve been blessed to build relationships with dozens of teachers,” Connet said. “You are the backbone of the community and the foundation of society.”
Connet is also a National Honor Society president and a varsity cheerleader at the school and has earned various awards from the school and in the community. She is the daughter of Hendersonville City Manager John Connet and Polk County High School teacher Lori Connet.
King said it was the chance to work directly with students that drove him teach high school rather than college students, noting his own high school teacher, Mr. Magycz, was an important part of his life.
“For me, high school was a way to engage with students better than college,” he said.
Being named Teacher of the Year earned King a commemorative plaque, an all-expense paid trip to a state education conference of his choice, and $1,000 from AdventHealth. Beginning in 2021, the Henderson County Public Schools Teacher of the Year also receives $4,500 toward a vacation getaway of their choice, gifted by Boyd Chevrolet.