About Teacher Page
Kotreece A. Bender
I am a native of Newton Ms. Graduate of Newton High School class of 2003. I was a three-sport athlete and graduated number nine in my class with a 3.3 GPA. I was and currently the only athlete in school history to gold medal in both shot put & discus both Junior and Senior years. As a part of the Lady Tigers basketball team, I lead our team to three State tournament Quarter & Semi-final appearances. I was selected to the All State and South State teams in both basketball and track, as well as Selected to the All-District team in Basketball, Softball, and Track all four years of high school. I was also selected to the MHSAA North & South All-Star Game my junior year. I continued my playing career at East Central Community College after signing an athletic scholarship for the East Central Women’s Basketball team.
During my time at East Central I was a valued starter of the '03-'04 Women’s Basketball South Division Championship, State Championship, Region 23 Championship and National Tournament Final 8 Team. I was also selected to play in the NJCAA North South All Star Game. Graduate from East Central Community College with an associate degree and later signed a basketball scholarship to Alcorn State University.
Educational high Lights
After my playing career I finished my bachelor’s degree at Jackson State University. I started my teaching career in the Scott County School District at Lake High School. I have taught 7th grade Science, Physical Education, and health for 8 years. My teaching philosophy is “We have to plant the seed that we want to see grow!” & “Be the person you needed the most when you were younger” I have always believed that there is more to teaching than sharing information. Educators teach, inspire & change lives. I believe that impacting lives is a huge responsibility and a gift that should not be taken lightly.
Coaching High Lights
Started my coaching career as assistant coach for both girls’ and boys’ basketball teams at Newton High School where we won the Class 2A Girls Basketball State Championship in 2010. As a fast pitch softball coach, I lead the program to its first winning season in the school history. After my time at Newton, I continued my coaching career as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at East Central Community College. As Assistant, I learned valuable teaching skills the importance of developing players, game tactics and coaching schemes. From East Central I became the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Lake High School where my teams made the playoffs every year, including a Scott County Tournament Championship, District Runner up, and a State Tournament appearance for the Class 2A State Basketball Championships. After my time at Lake, I transitioned to Petal High School where I was the Head Girls’ Basketball Coach. I lead my staff and team to its first 10 plus wins season in over four years and was the first coach in school history to finish the regular season Second in the district. We helped sign two players to Junior College Scholarships. We developed the second female Athlete in school history to sign a Division I Basketball Scholarship as well as receive recognition for the “Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen list. We also developed players who were selected to the MHSAA North South All-star Game and was recruited by six division I colleges. Due to my mother’s unexpected illness, I transitioned from Petal High School to Forest High school, where I was the assistant Girls & Boys basketball coach. As girl’s assistant I lead the Lady Bearcats to a 32-4 season, District Runner up, and the 3A State Basketball Championship Runner Up. The Lady Bearcats had not played in a state championship game in over 23 years.
