2001 Arkansas Teacher of the Year
Ms. Haney teaches all subjects to the grade two students at Valley View Elementary School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She has been teaching for twenty-eight years.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"A teacher can make life-long learners of students once you discover their learning style. Using a variety of materials and methods increases the ability to reach a larger number of students."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I make modifications in my lessons in order to reach visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners. I have found that a hands-on, science-based and literacy-rich program works best."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest teaching accomplishment happened after I traveled to West Africa and China to learn first-hand about these cultures. Upon returning to Arkansas, I developed the entire second grade curricula based on what I learned about these countries. Another accomplishment was helping an at-risk child become one of the "Master Learners" of our state."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"The most critical issues facing educators today is the shortage of new teachers coming into the field and retaining those really great, master teachers already in the field. This can be resolved through an increase in pay and respect given to the profession as well as establishing a strong mentoring program for novice and veteran teachers."

Inspirational thought:
"You may be the one person to influence a child, motivate him and make a real difference in his life."