Tanner Black was hired as a high school teacher and the head baseball coach during a special meeting of the Hennessey Board of Education last Wednesday.

He was hired on a temporary contract in a 4-0 vote after a 25-minute executive session to discuss the employment.

Black, a native of Enid, is no stranger to Hennessey.

He was a U.S. history and Oklahoma history student- teacher at the high school from September to December 2019.

He has been a varsity assistant baseball coach at Enid High School since 2022 and also taught geography and U.S. history for grades 6-8 during that time.

Black has been a part of the Enid baseball program since August 2020, whether as a varsity assistant, head JV coach, summer coach or a combination of the three.

Enid is coached by Brad Gore, who led Dover to two state championships in 2001 and 2002 before leaving for Chickasha and eventually Enid.

During Black’s tenure with the program Enid reached the 6A state tournament three straight years from 2022 to 2024, including finishing as state runner- up in 2023.

After his 2019 student teaching in Hennessey, Black taught physical education to students in K-5 at Garfield Elementary in Enid for a year.

Black graduated from Enid High School in 2015, where he was a valedictorian.

In December 2019, he graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Teacher Resignations

Board members also were told by Superintendent Jason Sternberger of two resignations received: Rachel Franks, a music teacher who accepted a similar position at Kingfisher, and Denise Shimanek, who Sternberger told board members is retiring.

At the Meeting

Board members present were Vice President Dakota Semrad, Clerk Amy Charmasson, Luke Lough and Lance Painter. Absent was President Dr. James M. Matousek.

In the audience were Middle School Principal Ricardo Tarango and Black.