Junior and senior Special Education English students at Ponca City High School know they can count on their teacher, Ian Rand, for guidance, encouragement, and support. Now in his fourth year at Po-Hi, Rand is also the school’s Esports coach, bringing both classroom and extracurricular opportunities for students to learn, grow, and connect.
While many educators have taught at multiple schools, Rand’s teaching career has been rooted entirely at Ponca City High School. That sense of stability and commitment reflects his strong belief in education and his drive to create a better future for the next generation. For Rand, the decision to become a teacher was both personal and purposeful. “I wanted to be the kind of teacher I wished I had when I was in high school,” he explains. “A teacher who looks out for non-traditional students and relates to them.”
Rand’s own high school years at Ponca City still inspire the way he teaches today. He credits his former science teacher, Mr. Wade Scott, as one of the biggest influences on his life. “Mr. Scott taught me to think critically about every bit of information I came across,” Rand recalls. “He also taught me compassion, tenacity, and curiosity. I loved his biology class so much that I took every science class he offered during my junior and senior years.”
In his classroom, Rand values building meaningful relationships with his students. He enjoys seeing their growth, not just as readers and writers, but as individuals preparing for life beyond high school. His dedication extends outside the classroom, where he sponsors several after-school clubs that give students a place to connect, develop hobbies, and build friendships.
Rand also carries with him valuable advice from colleague Ashley Campbell, who taught him the importance of advocacy. “It is an educator’s responsibility to advocate for their students and to teach their students to advocate for themselves,” he says.
When he’s not teaching or coaching, Rand enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games, hobbies that help him recharge and also allow him to connect with students in fun and relatable ways.
Through his teaching and mentorship, Ian Rand continues to shape lives at Ponca City High School, inspiring students to find their voices and embrace their futures.
