By Kristin Miller

The Madison County High School Teacher of the Year uses Metallica music as a way to connect with his students. Dallas Cowne teaches American Literature and AP Language Arts. Since students are constantly consuming media, Cowne hopes they will apply the lessons to their daily lives.

Relating to his students is a priority passed down from his parents. Cowne’s mother also taught language arts and his father was the Madison County School Superintendent. Cowne respected the way students looked up to his parents, so he tries to carry on that family legacy in his classroom.