David Hay has been a substitute teacher in the Paragould School District for 10 years. He has subbed for teachers of children three years old to high school seniors, and he likes all of the ages. There is one thing for sure: all of the students like HIM. If you question why, it is because he knows practically every student's name in the district, and he has fun no matter what age his students are. He likes to be able to talk to them and call them by name. He believes that his success comes from considering that all kids are his kids. Mr. Hay likes kids, but that is not all. Mr. Hay likes people and he likes to talk to them.
Some of the things that Mr. Hay is passionate about are Jesus, the Razorbacks, the St. Louis Cardinals, history, and politics.
The award that Mr. Hay received is the ESS (Education Management and Staffing Solution) Achievement Award. He was the recipient because he will take any sub job no matter what age the students are and is just the kind of employee ESS wants to contact on a morning when they need a teacher in a hurry. He says that one of the reasons he likes to sub is because the people in all of the Paragould schools are so nice.
His past livelihood includes being a mail man in Blytheville for five years and selling insurance for 30+ years in Paragould. He grew up in Blytheville and graduated from Blytheville High School. His 93 year old mother is still very alert and lives in Blytheville.
For the award, Oak Grove Middle School received $500 and Mr. Hay did as well. Congratulations, Mr. Hay! Keep up the good work. And PLEASE continue to sub!