By Cora MacAdam and Nola Zook, staff writers
Saegertown’s newest Golden Apple Award winner is government and psychology teacher Justin Hayes. For the past 31 years, the Golden Apple Award program has been a tradition at JET-TV in partnership with Edinboro University that honors local educators who have made a positive impact on their students and communities.
Saegertown social studies teacher Justin Hayes was nominated for the Golden Apple Award by juniors Lynna Brenizer and Hazel Peel. (contributed photo)
Hayes was nominated by juniors Hazel Peel and Lynna Brenizer, who are in his psychology class. He received his award on February 23.
According to the nomination submitted by Peel and Brenizer, Hayes’s class has been “welcoming,” “fun and exciting,” and “creates an atmosphere of giddy excitement and laughter.”
“We’re not just doing bookwork,” Peel said. “We’re out of our seats and we’re learning material in different ways.”
Hayes, who has been teaching at Saegertown since 2018, works to connect real-life stories to the students in his class. “They don’t care that you know until they know that you care,” Hayes said. “I care about all of them, and I want them all to be successful.”
Along with his anecdotes and stories, he keeps the class engaged by performing trick shots, handing out candy, and providing daily memes that correspond with the lesson.
“Mr. Hayes creates a learning environment that’s full of excitement and laughter,” said Dr. Erinn Lake, the Dean of Education at Edinboro University. “Clearly that’s how the students learn best.”
To nominate your favorite teacher for a Golden Apple Award, visit Golden Apple Award: JET 24 and Edinboro – YourErie.com and fill out the form and essay section.
If you would like to watch Mr. Hayes receive his award and read the award-winning nomination essay, visit Golden Apple Award: Justin Hayes | WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.