Teacher of the Year

Trisha Haynes

Trisha Haynes is a fourth grade teacher at Lee County Elementary School in Leesburg, GA. She teaches math, science, and social studies to two groups of students with her cooperating teacher. This is her eighteenth year teaching and will be her fourth year at Lee County Elementary School. She previously taught at Cooper Carver Elementary School in Dawson, GA as well as Lincoln Magnet School in Albany, GA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education, a masters degree in elementary assessment, as well as a specialist's degree in leadership and learning. She also holds a gifted endorsement.

 

Mrs. Haynes has been married for almost 32 years to her husband, Rusty Haynes. They have two adult children. Her daughter, Taylor, is 29 years old and is a registered nurse who currently lives in Portland OR. Her son, Dylan, will be 27 in October, he is recently married, works as a financial advisor for Morgan Stanley, and lives in Alpharetta, GA with his wife Katie. She comes from a family of four, with two older brothers and one younger sister.

Her teaching philosophy can be broken down into several subcategories. The first priority is active learning; students learn best through active engagement and hands-on activities. This allows students to take an active role in their learning and create ownership in the process. Next is inclusivity and uniqueness; every student is unique and has different strengths and needs. By providing differentiated materials and multiple modes of engagement, she ensures all students can access and enjoy the learning experience. The third priority is wonder; young learners are naturally curious. By making learning interactive and fun she hopes to nurture this sense of wonder and encourage a lifelong love of learning. The fourth priority is community connections; learning doesn’t happen in isolation. By connecting classroom activities within our school, the community, or involving family and local resources, she helps students see the relevance of what they’re learning and foster a sense of community.