06/11/2026
Life came full circle today.
When I was in middle school (EHMS), I had Mr. Haydon for three blissful years in a row (I'm sure he remembers it just like that). He taught history and social studies. I was pretty bummed when I found out 7th grade social studies had nothing to do with being social, especially since my 4th grade teacher had written "DeAnnie has the gift of gab" on my report card.
Mr. Haydon quickly became my favorite teacher. He had compassion for all of his students, even the ones who got a front row seat because they talked too much. He taught lessons that helped shape my open-mindedness and grounded my little liberal heart that thought I could save the world with a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper and NKOTB pencils.
He taught us about people who had been treated unfairly, introduced us to books I'd never heard of, and opened my eyes to injustices happening far beyond Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He made me think bigger and outside our conservative little community. During one lesson on Native Americans, he nicknamed me "Chief Talks-A-Lot." Unfortunately, it fit and it stuck for years.
I never wanted to be a history teacher, but because of him I developed a deep appreciation for history and the lessons society teaches us. Years later, I had the opportunity to work under his wife, Mrs. Haydon, when I was a teacher's assistant in an elementary school. She helped shape some of the professional qualities I still carry today and taught me how to communicate better with parents when I was a young adult in my 20s. And she always brought us little treats as motivation, which was much appreciated when my monthly take-home paycheck was less than $1,000.
Today was one of those days that reminded me of how connected life really is. I had the honor of helping their daughter, Maggie, get the keys to her very first home. Maggie did this on her own, as a single gal, on a teacher salary in Hardin Co. No financial help from anyone. No shortcuts. Just hard work and determination.
I'll admit, I teared up a few times at closing. Partly because menopause has turned me into someone who cries frequently, but mostly because this family has meant so much to me and others in our community. We never really know the impact we have on other people. The Haydons probably have no idea how much they helped shape me at different stages in life, but they did.
Watching Maggie get those keys today reminded me how lucky I am to do what I do. I celebrated this win hard, y'all. And in true Haydon fashion, Maggie gave ME a gift at closing. The kindness and compassion run deep in that family.
Congratulations, Maggie. I'm so incredibly proud of you.
