Submitted by Roger D. Propst
Superintendent, Calhoun County Schools
 Mrs. Patty Haught, Preschool Teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School, has been named the 2011 Teacher of the Year for Calhoun County Schools.
Mrs. Haught has been teaching for 18 years, 12 of them in Calhoun County. She worked 6 years in Ritchie County prior to her employment in Calhoun County. During that time she was awarded the "Golden Apple Achiever Award" presented by Ashland Coal.
When asked her philosophy of education she states, "I do believe that all children can learn and preschool children are absolutely eager to learn, but I also believe they learn much more in a fun-filled active environment.
Furthermore, it's been my main goal to make my classroom a hands on, fun-filled environment and use every opportunity throughout the day as a learning experience."
She credits her Kindergarten teacher and former colleague, Rebecca Miller as someone who played an important role and influence in her career as a teacher. She also gives credit to her dad in swaying her decision to become a teacher rather than attending beauty school.
When asked what others had to say about Mrs. Haught, a parent of a child in her class said, "It is with a grateful heart I say, to be able to drop your four year old child at a door and walk away without a second thought, knowing the wonderful day ahead of them, filled with excitement and intrigueâ¦well tears are rolling out of my eyes as I type these wordsâ¦is very satisfying for a mother.
To see how much your child has learned each day, but when asked "What did you learn today?" the response ALWAYS being "Nothing, I just played." If every classroom could exemplify such extraordinary ability to engage students in their learning we would maximize student achievement."
Mrs. Haught was also asked "what would you communicate to your profession and to the general public- what would be your message?" She said, "My message would be quite simple or so it may seem.
I would begin by reminding parents, educators and those that work in the education field that being a child is a once in a lifetime experience, literally. Society today, in general, is making children grow up was too soon, sometimes even before they are ready.
It takes many people working together to raise a child and I would encourage everyone to take an active role in the education and the future of our children. When I say children, I'm referring to anyone under the age of 18 years.
In closing, I would like to energize, excite and inspire all to make every child's educational experience truly a "once in a lifetime" event.
Mrs. Haught is married to Tracy Haught. They have two sons Jacob and Jared. She is the daughter of Randall and Mila Arnold of Arnoldsburg.
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