"I had a little desk in my bedroom when I was four or five and I would make my younger brother sit in it and I would be his teacher," Haynes shared. "There was never a question of really wanting to do anything else."
That childhood dream eventually led her to National Heritage Academies® (NHA®). After graduating college and navigating a competitive job market, an NHA recruiter reached out about an open teaching position. Though initially hesitant to leave a job mid-year, she agreed to an interview.
"I sat in an interview, and it lasted probably two-plus hours, and I just thought it was so crystal clear that it was where I was supposed to be," Haynes said. "And I've never looked back."
Congratulations Rachel Haynes! A 2025-26 National Heritage Academies Excellence in Teaching Winner!
Before transitioning to her role as a dean this summer, she taught eighth-grade English Language Arts for 12 years in the same classroom. That work culminated this spring when she won a 2025-26 NHA Excellence in Teaching award.
A Surprise Celebration
The moment Haynes found out about her award was nothing short of memorable. It was mid-April, right after her students completed the PSAT. Principal Damon Williams called an assembly under the guise of praising the eighth graders for their hard work.
"He just kind of talked about ending the year with a bang and going out strong," Haynes recalled. "And then you could tell he was kind of amping up for something."
Rachel always had a dream to be a teacher.
Suddenly, music from Beauty and the Beast began to play, and her family, including her husband, parents, mother-in-law, and two-year-old daughter, walked into the room. Because she was scheduled to go on maternity leave a few weeks later, Principal Williams had secured special permission to present the surprise early.
Without a physical trophy in hand just yet during the celebration, she even joked with her principal.
"Are you just trying to hype me up before I go on maternity leave or did I actually get the award? Because you're not giving me anything?"
Rachel's family showed up to celebrate her honor.
Empowering Eighth Graders Through Moral Focus & Growth
While middle school can be a challenging age, Haynes finds magic in teaching eighth-grade students.
"I love eighth grade because they're old enough to really level with and talk to like equals, but really, they're just big babies, and so you get to kind of nurture them and love them," Haynes said.
Her approach to ELA goes beyond analyzing texts; it deeply weaves in NHA’s commitment to Moral Focus™ virtues, such as respect, courage, and perseverance. By creating a classroom dynamic where student voices are honored and validated, Haynes teaches her students to demonstrate respect for differing viewpoints while building the courage to express their own thoughts.
"ELA, it's so much more empowering to students. I’m always asking, ‘What are your thoughts?’ Even if I don't agree with you, help me to understand what led you to that," she explained.
While middle school can be a challenging age, Haynes finds magic in teaching eighth-grade students.
To foster perseverance and a strong growth mindset, Haynes helps students reframe how they view mistakes, especially when reviewing test results.
“Hey, just because you got it wrong or just because you weren't considered proficient on this assessment doesn't mean that you're not on the right path," Haynes tells her students. "And so, let's figure out how we can tweak your thinking a little bit to get you there."
By using 30 minutes of dedicated intervention time each day, she gives students the reports and tools they need to practice personal responsibility and take charge of their own progress.
"Giving them the tools so that they can take ownership of their own learning makes it so much more meaningful for them," she noted.
Congratulations, Rachel! Thank you for all you do for your students and the Great Oaks community!
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Over her 12 years at Great Oaks, Haynes has learned to navigate the high demands of teaching by prioritizing what matters most and creating boundaries. Through it all, her primary goal remains unchanged: ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and capable of leading with strong character.
When asked what legacy she hopes to leave behind, Haynes highlighted two goals.
"Number one, I want them to know that I love them," Haynes said. "And that's how I end every single class is like, 'I love you so much. Have a great day.'"
"And also, I hope that they leave my classroom knowing that they are capable of anything," she added. "And just really making them believe in themselves."
Congratulations, Rachel! Thank you for all you do for your students and the Great Oaks community!
About Great Oaks Academy
Great Oaks Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Warren, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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