Laura Haynie was preparing for a game of water kickball with her students when she received a sudden, urgent summons to “bring some spare microphone batteries” to the 8th-grade end-of-year awards assembly. She dropped what she was doing, dutifully retrieved the batteries, and then tried to sneak out the back. “Wait!” a teacher whispered. “We need you to make sure they work.” Five minutes, then ten minutes later, the nearby teachers were still asking random favors that kept her in the gym. 

Suddenly, CCSD’s Human Resources Director, Kirk McRae, announced that they would now present the 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year. Haynie was so excited. “That’s wonderful,” she thought, “someone is being highlighted for their amazing work!” But a curious feeling came over her when he began to describe this teacher. And when he specified that it was a P.E. teacher, she suddenly knew. “It was so profound. I got all weak and shaky. I didn’t even know what to say. And if you know me, I always have something to say!” 

Students, their families, and Haynie’s colleagues cheered as she walked to the front of the crowd. And while she has been overwhelmed and deeply honored by the district-wide recognition, Haynie says her students' excitement to see her receive the award is what stuck with her the most. “Their recognition is the most important. I’m here to honor the students in what I do. And seeing them recognize that is the best part of all.” 

Cindy Parkinson, principal of North Cache Middle School, agrees. “Laura’s motivation is not recognition; it’s about helping students and giving them the best possible experience. She is an exceptional educator.” 

Haynie’s fellow educators who nominated her for the award applauded her unrelenting creativity, innovation, and genuine care for students. “I never want to give them ‘just good enough,’” Haynie said of her students. “I try to remember what it was like when I was a student. So, I’m always on the hunt. What’s new? What’s exciting? I also participate in each activity. I want them to see that it’s okay to try, to fail, and to make adaptations and try again!” 

And participate she does. Recently, as she led her 7th grade P.E. class through a series of stretches, she modeled the proper form, explained the muscle groups being worked on, and told silly stories at the same time. Her students giggled at the stories, and their rapt attention was on her every move. They could sense her passion.

“People sometimes misunderstand specialist teachers,” she said. “They ask things like, ‘What does a P.E. teacher even contribute?’ But remember, every teacher has a degree. They teach what they’re passionate about. And whether their passion is for math or science, art or P.E., our students need them! Teachers need to be recognized more for the little daily things they do. And as I represent our district, I want to honor all the amazing teachers who do little and big things every day.”