Glendale teacher returns to her elementary school to give back to students

GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — Silver Apple Award winner Mandy Hayes has only been teaching for two years. However, she is already making a huge impact on her students’ lives in the Deer Valley School District.

Ms. Hayes was once a student at Cooper Creek Elementary, where she now teaches. She said it always felt like a family on campus, and she felt the need to come back home and give back. She partners up every single day with each of her second graders and their parents to ensure their success in the classroom.

“The biggest thing is to make mistakes,” Hayes explains about her classroom philosophy. “Because if they don’t make mistakes, they’re not going to learn from them.”

Ms. Hayes works to create an environment in her classroom where her students feel comfortable enough to do just that. She was nominated for the Silver Apple Award by not one but three of her students: Carson Doucette, Aria Holladay, and Shem Patterson.

When we surprised Ms. Hayes with the Silver Apple Award presentation, she could not hold back her tears of gratitude.

“I couldn’t have done this without everybody here,” Hayes said. “And my kids and I just feel so much love and just support. I’m just so proud, so proud.”

Ms. Hayes was not the only one who could not hold back their emotions. The grateful parents of her students had a lot to say about Ms. Hayes’ work and how thankful they were for her.

“She has given my daughter so much confidence, which makes me emotional,” said Bernadette Holladay. Her daughter, Aria, is in Ms. Hayes’ class. “She has really struggled. This is her first year in this district and she’s made so much growth that we’re just thankful to Ms. Hayes,” she said.

Christy Patterson, a parent, expressed similar sentiments about the work Ms. Hayes has done with her son, Shem. “Whenever he is struggling, she is always the first to tell me what’s going on and to come up with new ideas to help them in class,” Patterson said.

Meanwhile, Missy Doucette credits her grandson’s success to his teacher. “My little guy has special needs, and she’s just amazing with him,” she said.

Jason Mayer, from Arizona Bank & Trust, presented Ms. Hayes with a check as part of the Silver Apple Award. “I could read in the parents’ words how strongly they felt about you...for not only what you’ve done for the kids that came before this class, but for all the lucky kids that you are going to touch in the future. Arizona Bank and Trust is very happy to present you with this award for $1,000,” he said.

As we wrapped up the morning in Ms. Hayes’ classroom, parents were anxious to take photos of the students with their teacher. However, the students were excited to express their appreciation for Ms. Hayes. They did just that with a class group hug!

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