*Mrs. Emily Hayse
Bio
My name is Emily Hayse, and I have been teaching high school English language arts for the past ten years. I have predominantly instructed ninth and tenth graders; however, I have served as an AP Literature and Composition teacher for the past two years. Driven by my love of students and books, I take pride in providing the best education possible. My goals include creating student-centered, highly engaging content, and breaking down difficult concepts into manageable chunks. In addition to my primary job responsibilities, I also serve on the Student Assistance Program (SAP), and I am the varsity Scholastic Bowl coach.
Why did you want to become National Board Certified?
I pursued becoming a National Board Certified teacher because I wanted to examine and improve my teaching practice, I wanted to model for my students the importance of being a life-long learner, and I wanted to reach one of the highest teaching achievements available.
What was the most difficult aspect of going through the process?
While going through this process, I struggled with three things: learning how to write in a scientific style, figuring out what my projects were supposed to look like without examples, and finding time to write and study while attending to the responsibilities of my teaching position.
What was the most rewarding part of going through the process?
The most rewarding part of going through the process was opening my scores in December to see the fireworks that indicated that I had passed. Between COVID and giving birth to my first son, I didn’t think that I would be able to finish, let alone finish on time without having to retake any of the sections. So when I saw those fireworks, I was elated.
What advice would you give others that are thinking about starting the process?
If you are thinking about starting the process, do it. Just be sure to print out the directions for each component so that you know what you’re doing. Once I used the direction like a workbook, I had an easier time organizing my projects.
How has this made you a better educator?
The process has made me a better educator because committing myself to the five core propositions of teaching makes me more deliberate about my instruction. I am constantly thinking about the WHY behind my teaching, always planning and revising based on student needs.