LEAH HAYNES

An Excellent Educator

What does it feel like when life comes full circle?

Leah Haynes came to college on a mission. From the moment she enrolled in CVCC in 2012, she made herself part of the Red Hawk family, participating on CVCC’s Volleyball team for two seasons and maintaining a strong commitment to academic life. She knew exactly what she wanted to study – and after graduating with her Associate’s in 2014, she transferred to UNC Greensboro, where she majored in Human Development and Family Studies. While at UNCG, she took part in a field internship at local school, working in human development among the student population.

A job as an educator never crossed her mind, even though her high school instructor told her over and over that she would make a fantastic teacher.

“Every person in my family is in education,” Leah says. “My parents, both of my sisters, my grandparents...everyone has been a teacher and is still involved in education at some level. I wanted to be the one who did something different.”

But something changed — a little spark ignited hidden talents.

“I decided while was in my internship that I really enjoyed teaching,” Leah explains, “but I didn’t want to admit to anyone that enjoyed it.” When she completed her internship and graduated from UNCG, she faced a question almost every young adult encounters: What to do next?

Shortly after graduation, Leah received a call from her high school instructor who had encouraged her during much of her young life. “I’ve got the perfect job for you,” the teacher said. “I want you to come teach with me.”

TEACHING IS 100% WHAT I’VE BEEN CALLED TO DO MY WHOLE LIFE.

“When she said that,” Leah recalls, “I thought she had lost her mind.”

“No,” her teacher said, “I really want you to apply and see what happens.” Leah applied. She got the job. And she loved it.

This high school teaching position meant that Leah worked with her favorite teachers, her mentors, the people who helped her find her love for education and students. She appreciated every moment to learn from and continue working with the school. Things started to come full circle, but they weren’t complete yet. As time rolled on, Leah earned a Teaching License, completed her Master’s in Curriculum, and took a new role as the CTE Coordinator for the same high school. This position required oversight of school testing and management of class loads.

“The teacher who called me from high school always joked that her student was now her boss,” Leah remarks. However, working as a CTE Coordinator helped Leah realize that her true calling was the classroom – not as an organizer, but as an educator.

“I didn’t know what my next step was,” Leah says. “I started looking and saw a job posting at CVCC. thought, would love nothing more than to come home and inspire other students to become a teacher. I was in their same shoes not that long ago.”

In 2022, everything fell completely into place. Leah returned to CVCC as an instructor for Early Childhood Education & Teacher Preparation.

She loves connecting with students and watching them work in the classes, programs, and degrees which truly interest them. As students progress through each 8-week course, they are eager to discover new techniques, learn from Leah’s expertise, and strengthen their skills in Early Childhood Education.

As she learned through experience, it’s okay if your path doesn’t match initial expectations. If a lot of people have told you in your life that you were good at something, maybe it’s wise to at least give it a try.

“It’s super fun to see students who have known they wanted to do this finally reach their goals,” Leah says, full of excitement and ambition. “Teaching is 100% what I’ve been called to do my whole life.”