Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Bender

By Brook Chamblee and Casey Irey
February 1, 2010

Just like The Game of Life, which Mrs. Bender compares herself to, she is very predictable but entertaining. However, Mrs. Bender never predicted herself as being a teacher. Growing up, Mrs. Bender always dreamed of working in the fashion industry. She attended Excel High School, where she cheered for seven years. Not only was she involved in cheerleading, she also kept the books for the softball team, and was a member of Jr. Mid Ladies Organization. After high school she found interest in Mississppi Delta Community College, where she recieved her Bachelor's Degree in Family Consumer Science. Though she would have loved to fulfill her dream in the fashion industry, she met and fell in love with Keith Bender. Their work schedules differed, leading to Mrs. Bender becoming a teacher. Shortly after graduating college, they moved to Alabama, where she began substituting for Oneonta High School. She then heard about a job opening at Locust Fork High School for Family and Consumer Science classes. Due to her interest in helping students with basic skills for everyday life, she has been teaching at LFHS for fourteen years. Out of the fourteen years at LF, Mrs. Bender's most memorable moment was when an NHS student tried to heat up food in a plastic container in the oven.

In Mrs. Bender's spare time, she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and yard work. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Keith, her son Brent, and her daughter Emily. If Mrs. Bender could have another career, she would love to be in the fashion industry.