What is your name? Where do you teach? My name is Nicole Hayes, and I am currently teaching at Alton Elementary in Slidell.

What subject(s) do you teach? I teach all first-grade subjects: language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

What is your favorite thing about the subject(s) you teach? The best thing about teaching first grade subjects is that I get to help my children lay the foundation for their future academic success.

Nicole Hayes

How long have you been a teacher? This will be my sixth year teaching. I spent four years in Jefferson Parish, and one year in Bogalusa City Schools.

How has the profession of teaching changed since you started? We have so many technological resources that benefit both students and teachers collectively.  We now communicate electronically, post lessons electronically, manage class Web sites and present lessons using technology. 

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher simply because the human mind fascinates me, especially the minds of young children. It is amazing how each child learns differently, and no two children are alike.

What is your favorite thing about teaching? You’ve never been truly idolized until you teach. They just love you no matter what. My kids spoil me from day to day with sweet notes, drawings and little gifts, and it just impresses me that 6-year-olds can be so thoughtful.

Do you do anything special in the classroom to get through to your students? I try to incorporate movement, music and silliness whenever possible. The children love to do cheers the most. I learned quite a few cheers at a learning workshop this summer, and the kids choose their favorite cheer to encourage their partners or classmates.   

What is the hardest part of your job? The most difficult part of teaching for me is that I don’t have enough time in the day to just sit and talk with my kids. There is so much work to accomplish each day, and they want so badly to share their life stories.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities at the school? I am currently the chairperson for the Honor Roll Breakfast Committee.

Do you utilize any special technology in the classroom? I use the Promethean Board, which is the best teacher tool ever created! I create flipcharts on the Promethean to go with each lesson, and recently I was able to make basic phonics workbook pages come to life for my students.   

Have you received any grants to aid you in the classroom? No, I have not received any grants just yet, but I have been very fortunate so far, because our school has so many resources available for the students. There are still many things on my wish list where a grant would come in handy, like flip cameras and iPods. 

What do you do during your summer vacations? This past summer was spent attending numerous in-services, since I am new to St. Tammany Parish. Normally, I like to relax, unwind and spend time with my two daughters.

Do you aspire to become a principal one day? The thought has crossed my mind, but right now I just want to be in the classroom surrounded by my kids.

What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened while you were teaching? I was using an old set of phonics flashcards one day, and I pulled out the card for the “th” sound.

The picture that went with it was a thong, better known as a flip-flop nowadays. The children looked at me as if I had lost my mind and proceeded to explain to me that the picture was a “flip-flop,” and a “thong” was something entirely different. I’m still a bit disturbed that my first graders had any knowledge of “thongs,” but the quizzical looks I received that day were priceless.