Hayman named Educator of the Year following 34 years at Bexley

Math teacher Mark Hayman was awarded the Glick Family Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by the Bexley Education Foundation, on Monday, April 28. 

Hayman’s family joined students, teachers and administrators to present him with the award Monday morning outside of his classroom. 

“I was clueless about being nominated and very surprised to be selected,” Hayman said. “Seeing my wife and grandson too was icing on the cake.” 

He added he was honored to receive the award because he thinks there are so many other deserving candidates. “I am truly humbled about being selected,” he said. “The hallways across this whole district are filled with rock star educators.” 

Chair of the BEF Board of Governors Adam Eisenberg explained Hayman was chosen for the award because of his commitment to helping students excel both in and out of school. 

“He is the kind of educator that others strive to be—one who inspires students to do their best every day in a subject that can be daunting for many,” he said. 

Sophomore Emmett Dodge said he appreciates Hayman’s efforts to ensure all students are understanding material, especially in a difficult class. 

“He helps people out and is very good at teaching the whole class how to do something, even if everybody learns in a different way,” he explained.

Hayman, who is retiring at the end of the year, said he is excited about spending more time with his family, especially his grandson Lincoln.

He added he plans to travel and pursue his hobbies, like gardening and woodworking. 

“I am getting my woodshop set up, so I can build some things,” he said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t say going to the bathroom whenever I want to is going to be nice too.”

Hayman explained he did not originally go to college for teaching, but he became interested in education because he enjoyed working with his peers in study groups. 

“I figured I could do that for a living and have enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. 

Although he said he is looking forward to retiring, he is planning to be a substitute teacher at the high school for a few years. 

“My wife is already retired, and I know the reality of not coming back daily will hit me in mid-August when everyone else is headed back to school,” he added. 

Hayman said his favorite part of his 34 years of teaching has been building relationships with students. Dodge explained he does this through giving wonderful advice and encouragement to his students. 

“I know he’s helped far more people than just me, both this year and in previous years,” Dodge said. Hayman said his advice to students would be to work hard but not to the point of exhaustion. 

“Be willing to try things without the fear of failure,” he added. “You might even learn more from a failure than you ever would without any.”