About Mr. Bennett

I am Mr. Bennett, and I am excited for another great semester of teaching social studies at South Stanly High! History intrigues me because I enjoy learning how things came to be. The events of the past gave us the present that we find ourselves in. Understanding our past can be useful in understanding our present and future. While history is one of my favorite pastimes, I thoroughly enjoy studying culture and language as well. I especially enjoy learning local histories and studying the variety of regional cultures. I believe that every place and every culture has stories and artifacts worth learning about and cherishing for the future.

Aside from teaching and studying social studies, I like to spend my free time engaging in a variety of hobbies.  I play the banjo, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin regularly, and piddle around occasionally with the upright bass, dulcimer, kalimba, fife, harmonica, and keyboard instruments. In addition to playing bluegrass and country music, you may very well find me playing 18th century music at regional Revolutionary War events. I am an 18th Century living historian in my spare time, in which I portray militia from the Carolina Backcountry and both Continental and Royal Artillery. I tinker around making a few things when I can, and dabble in blacksmithing, leatherworking, and building gourd banjos.  Other interests of mine include horseback riding, hunting, linguistics (I'm learning Spanish, Pennsylvania Dutch, and a little bit of French), singing very old songs, traveling with my wife, kayaking, hiking, and visiting historic sites. 

Prior to becoming a school teacher, I worked at a YMCA Camp and as a tour guide at a late 18th century house in the Brushy Mountains. I've also got experience in the equestrian industry and the fast food industry. This is my eighth year teaching at South Stanly, and I am proud to be a part of this great school community!