By: Austin Hanson 

     With last year’s retirement of Mrs. Dietsch, a valuable and loved science teacher, Eisenhower excitedly welcomes Mr. Hayes to the EMHS staff. Mr. Hayes previously taught at Sheffield High School before coming to Eisenhower to spread his knowledge. Attending college at Ohio University, Mr. Hayes pursued his degree in the field of science, specifically chemistry. Along with teaching physical classes here at EMHS, Mr. Hayes also teaches online science classes to local virtual students and virtual students across the state.  

     Eisenhower staff and students are thrilled to have such an amazing mentor and teacher in the building and are doing everything they can to make Mr. Hayes feel comfortable and happy in a new environment. The Squire asked Mr. Hayes a few questions to get to know him a little better. 

     The Squire: How was it transitioning to a new school, and are there any similarities between EMHS and other schools? Is there anything unique? 

     Mr. Hayes: Shifting schools is definitely hard – think of all the connections and relationships you make and then knowing that you are leaving that behind is never easy. Also moving my classroom materials during the summer is never fun. There are lots of similarities between all the schools. In the big picture, we are all part of the same team, with the same major goals, and the same greater community of Warren County. Each school is definitely unique in certain ways, but I think the differences are minor by comparison.  

     TS: What subjects and grades do you teach, and what has been your favorite part about teaching at EMHS so far? 

     MH: The best subjects, Chemistry and Physics, the best grades, 10 and 11…and I also teach seniors. There are a lot of favorite parts about teaching here. It is a beautiful building in a picture-perfect setting, and the faculty, staff and everyone that keeps this place running, connected, fed, healthy and safe are amazing, but I must admit my favorite part has got to be the students…even the seniors. 

     TS: What are your favorite extracurriculars outside of teaching? 

     MH: The top of my list are sports, music, art, and video games, not necessarily in that order, and I have really been getting into cooking the last two years – I really love just learning new things too, if that counts. 

     TS: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in teaching, and what was your journey like to becoming a teacher? 

      MH: I had some amazing teachers when I was in school and I am sure they inspired me without me realizing it, but I went to college for four years before I realized that I really wanted to teach. The most direct inspiration is my ongoing love of science and the incredible educators, writers, and hard workers in my family that inspired me to do something I really believed in. My journey to teaching is long, uncertain at times, and still unfinished, meaning every day I still learn something about how to become a better teacher. I think it is pretty cool that it was my friends and family of the generations that came before me that inspired me to teach, but now it is my friends and family in the generations that came after me that inspire me to keep at it and keep trying to do it better. 

     TS: What is one thing in the world that you wouldn’t be able to live without and why? 

     MH: Oxygen. I am a mammal, and it is essential to cellular respiration. 

     The Squire would like to thank Mr. Hayes for taking the time to answer these questions so that we can get to know him a little better. Feel free to stop by his room and say “Hi” or ask him some of your own questions to get to know him better and give him a welcoming start to his teaching experience here at EMHS!