Not too long ago, a kindergartener was sitting in class dreaming about what it would be like to be a teacher. Now, this very person spends her days explaining math problems on the third floor of Westborough High School. Her name is Ms. Hayes.

A new addition to the math department, Hayes grew up in central Massachusetts. She attended college at Westfield State, where she majored in math and secondary education. For the final month of the 2023-2024 school year, Hayes accepted the position of a long-term substitute at WHS. Anyone who has experienced the time leading up to finals would tell you one thing — it’s chaos. Everyone has to relearn the topics they’ve forgotten over the months, and the questions are endless. But that did not discourage Hayes. She jumped right in and took over, and did not rest until she felt her students were prepared. “I was just trying to get everyone to the finish line,” she said humbly.

Since she was in kindergarten, Hayes knew that teaching was her calling. She never questioned this decision in the slightest.

“It was always this,” she remarked. She recognized that some people have a negative attitude toward teachers and the teaching field, but she never let that discourage her. She explained, “I always tried not to think about that because I always knew this is what I wanted to do and this is what I am loving doing.” Throughout her school years, she may have been taking organized notes on the topics she was learning, but she was also making mental notes for when she became a teacher. She would watch the lesson and think, “Ooh, I wanna do that. I like that!”

As a student, Hayes loved solving math problems. She found it gratifying to think deeply about them and finally figure them out. “It was always something that I loved doing,” she said and explained that math was the only subject that she could see herself teaching. Over the years, she had a lot of math teachers who inspired her. In high school, whenever she told a teacher what she wanted to do, they would be very supportive and offer her advice. 

And now she’s finally reached her destination. Anyone who sees her at work can tell that the long road she’s taken to get here was worth it. She radiates an excitement for teaching, treating every raised hand like a gift she is about to unwrap. As Hayes put it, “Since I got into the classroom and really was able to work with students, it’s just very rewarding. Like students being able to grow and learn, that is just so rewarding for me.” She explained that her goal is to make sure every student takes something from her class. Of course, she hopes that students will gain new math skills, but she also puts emphasis on learning life skills like time management, problem-solving, and organization. (Organization is a big one since to-do lists are Hayes’ best friend.) 

According to Hayes, the most remarkable thing about being a teacher so far is making connections with her students. She shared how great it felt to have teachers who wanted to get to know her when she was a student. She also enjoys these interactions from a teacher’s point of view, explaining that “learning little things about [her students] has been really fun.” When asked what she wants her students to know about her, she said she would tell them she loves going to TJ Max, she loves the beach, and she’s a big Taylor Swift fan. 

A quote that helps Hayes navigate through life is, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” She remembers this whenever she begins to doubt herself, and clearly it is effective since her kindergarten self now has what she has always dreamed of. It is important to remember that teachers also have aspirations and struggles. Learning more about our teachers can greatly improve our experiences in the classroom. If you need math help, or you just want your day to be brighter, pay Ms. Hayes a visit!