Student engagement and encouragement defined David Benne’s fifty years of service as a teacher and coach. From the elementary classroom and the principal’s office to the science labs and basketball courts, David was dedicated to seeing potential where others might see problems. Half a century as an educator, maintaining a positive attitude and prompting hands-on learning, earned Coach Benne the honor of being inducted into the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation’s Educator Hall of Fame this March.
David was born in Colorado Springs and moved to Bartlesville with his family at the age of two. His father worked for the Union Machine Shop and REDA Pump and his mom rose through the ranks from a nighttime custodian at the Adams Building to the supervisor of the mailroom. His childhood was filled with sports like basketball, baseball, and football until an injury, sustained during his sophomore year climbing a wooden fence at Custer Field, sidelined him. Fortunately for his future students, that injury allowed Benne to realize his passion for working with youth. At sixteen, David started coaching Little League and discovered a gift that would lead him into a career in education.
After graduating from College High in 1962, David attended Northeastern State in Tahlequah, mostly by chance. It turned out to be the perfect fit. He found himself surrounded by an excellent elementary education program that fueled his passion for teaching and coaching. It was also at Northeastern where he met his wife, Carolyn. Although she was not too fond of him at first, David’s persistence won her over — a trait his future students would come to know well. David and Carolyn graduated on a Friday and were married on Saturday in a partnership that has endured sixty years.
In 1966, Benne started his first full-time teaching job at Highland Park Elementary in Bartlesville. He was twenty-three years old and tasked with managing a classroom of forty-two fifth graders. His job satisfaction came mostly from within, as he was only earning $5,100 a year, plus an extra $300 for “permanent recess duty.” He used the flag system still used today: green (all clear), yellow (stay on the pavement), and red (indoor recess only). He proudly recalled that there was rarely a red flag day on his watch. Kids played outside whether it was rain, snow, or shine.
After five years at Highland Park, Benne moved into administration, serving as the principal at Washington Elementary and later at Wayside. At Washington, he worked with some tough kids and great teachers, reflecting fondly on field trips to the Osage Hills where they would load students into the back of a pickup truck on their way out of town.
After several years in administration, David missed the impact of the classroom and the adrenaline of the sidelines, and he preferred grading students over teachers. So in 1984 he made the move that would define the next twenty years of his life: he took on the role of eighth grade Earth Science teacher and a basketball coach at Madison Middle School. It was there that Coach Benne became a legend. His classroom management style was clear: he would capture his students’ attention and earn their respect. He was fun and engaging, starting every day with a class joke; but along with the humor, he maintained a supportive presence and high expectations.
David was not a fan of heavy homework but promoted hands-on exploration. He famously built hovercrafts out of decking sheets and leaf blowers, zooming his students down the hallways of Madison, only limited by the length of the extension cords. They also built and launched rockets, a project that inspired at least one former student to pursue a career in aeronautics. That student still sends David photos of the rockets she works on, inspired by the projects in her 8th grade science lab.
On the court, David was just as influential. Whether coaching ninth grade girls basketball or serving as an assistant coach for the Lady Bruins alongside fellow Hall of Famer, Gerald Thompson, Coach Benne pushed his athletes to be disciplined and hard-working.
Teaching is a family affair for the Bennes. His wife worked in office administration for the district, and his son, Scott, followed in his footsteps, becoming a teacher and football coach. His sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews are all educators. This legacy of service likely stems from David’s own hero: his father, a World War II veteran who helped liberate a concentration camp. His father’s service left a lasting impression on Benne about the importance of dedication and commitment.
Even after “retiring” from BPS in 2000, David could not stay away. He spent several years at St. John Catholic School and continued substitute teaching well into his 70s. Now he keeps busy antiquing, collecting license plates and baseball hats, taking care of his wife’s feral cat, and going to the gym, although he admits he mostly goes for the massage chairs. He also loves spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren: Trent, Regan, and Katey.
When David reflects on over fifty years in education, he doesn’t talk about the administrative certificates or the Master’s degree. Instead, he talks about the students who still stop him around town to tell him how he changed their lives. Mr. Benne taught more than just Earth Science; he taught his students how to work hard, dream big, and, occasionally, how to fly down a hallway on a leaf blower.
This event is open to the public and tickets are available for $35 through the BPS Foundation’s website: https://bpsfoundation.org/educator-hall-of-fame/