Mr. Haynes has been teaching for 26 years. He’s known by the majority of his students to be energetic, hilarious, and has a striking resemblance to Jason Bateman. Haynes has taught history for most of his career, but also has been coaching soccer for over 15 years. He also teaches Law and Order, a fun elective about the law system that involves creating cases and scenarios and working them out as a class.
Mr. Haynes has taught AP history at Lakeland High School for years now, a class that can earn students college credit if they pass the final exam. He has been extremely successful in sustaining a high success rate for students passing the AP exam. Nationally, the average percentage of students who pass is right under 60%. At LHS, with his structured work he gives students, he holds a success rate above 85%.
In his AP class, everything is made clear and has a purpose. Practice essays and questions are each designed to prepare students for the exam. He focuses heavily on writing skills and knowing how to quickly interpret information. He does this by focusing on mostly DBQs (Document Based Questions) and LEQs (Long Essay Questions), and makes sure students know how the final exam will be and how to maximize points.
Mr. Haynes holds high standards for this class, and always expects effort and consistency. At the same time, he supports students who are struggling and gives them the tools they need to succeed. Many students say his class is challenging, but also one of the most rewarding classes they take in high school.
One of the main reasons for his success is his ability to connect with students. He doesn’t just lecture from a textbook. Instead, he tells stories, makes jokes, and somehow still connects it to whatever he’s teaching. Students often say his classes always feel like it’s something to look forward to, even if there’s a hard exam that day. “He’s always been so funny as a coach, and definitely cares about all of us,” AJ Mura said.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Haynes has made a big impact through coaching soccer. He has spent over 15 years helping student-athletes and his own sons grow, not just as players but as people. His teams are known for working hard and staying positive and disciplined. Many of his players say he pushes them to be their best while still making practices fun.
Today, Mr. Haynes remains one of the most respected and well-liked teachers at LHS by both staff and students. From his relatability to his efficient teaching methods, it’s safe to say that Mr. Haynes is a fantastic teacher and a great human all around.