For this week’s newsletter, our esteemed communications team member Cameron Ames sits down with our One Summer Program Coordinator Christopher Hayes, born and raised in Chicago—who passionately sparks the love of STEM in young minds. Hayes is training to be a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Jackie Robinson Elementary School. With Project Exploration, he started as a facilitator in our John J. Pershing STEAM Magnet Elementary School site last fall, before transitioning to this new role. In this conversation, Christopher reflects on his work, how he got involved with Project Ex, and his advice for the next generation. 

Hayes is training to be a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Jackie Robinson Elementary School, and started with Project Exploration as a facilitator in our John J. Pershing STEAM Magnet Elementary School site.

Could you explain your new position as One Summer Coordinator?

Chris: I am, in so many words, a site manager. I work with Julie and Chetta, our Program Operations Coordinator and Director of Strategic Partnerships, to make their jobs easier and support them. I also make sure all materials and the curriculum is out, and support our STEAMmbassadors to ensure payroll, surveys, and paperwork get done. You could say that I have a fancy title, but I take a servant approach: I can honestly be whatever they need, whoever needs it, I will help. 

How has your experience as a steam Ambassador added to your perspectives and passions?

Chris: It’s actually helped a lot. After Spring Break, I did my first first full week with Project Exploration—seeing how all the boys and girls from my Summer class still remembered. I was like “Wow” because it just shows that you’re making a positive impact, even if you just show up. It means a lot to me, because community means a lot to me. It really does take a village to raise our future. While I’m still striving for a lot of things, and I still have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish, I firmly believe that our children are our future, and I’ll do everything I can to support them. 

That’s beautiful, and how do you implement learning in your daily life?

Chris: I believe that you’re always a student. I can hear my dad’s voice in my head: “You should be always doing something. You should always be learning something. Always be a student.” So just by accident, my dad’s lessons to always be a student, burn through my head. I think the moment you become complacent, it’s kind of over—you can never get to a point where you think you know everything. I for one am always ready to learn – to provide my own example, I don’t know everything, and there’s always something I could do better, so never stop learning. 

“A lot of these children just need love, and they need people with good hearts that will take care of them and protect them.” — Christopher Hayes

What are some of your career goals?

It’s still in the idea stages, but I would definitely love to start my own mentorship program. It would probably be about life skills. It would be learning about education, finance, and money management. Just some things your father could teach you, because not everybody has a father, and even if you do, then maybe not the best. And then eventually expand from just boys, to boys and girls. 

What are some practices you like to bring to the classroom?

Chris: One, expectations from the jump. As teachers, we can’t beat down. When our kids mess up, we can’t beat them down. But we do need to have a firm hand, like “This is what is expected of you, this is our goal, and these are the steps we need to take to achieve it.” It’s okay if they missed the mark the first time—because you can’t just chew a kid out. 

Second, you need to give the students love and support. A lot of times it’s not even about the education, you can just see it on your child’s face. Or, maybe they’re holding something in that they can’t tell the world—and they’re battling something. So, you just need love. That has nothing to do with educating. A lot of these children just need love, and they need people with good hearts that will take care of them and protect them. 

And finally, I would say to bring a pace to the classroom. It’s very easy to fall behind. It’s also easy to rush, and only two people get it and then the rest are feeling lost. And nobody wants a lost child, because I remember me being a lost child. And being like, “Ooh, could you repeat that?” I have had teachers yell at me for asking questions. And I’m just trying to get an A, and not get in trouble. A big part of this is me wanting to do the opposite of some of the teachers I had. had some great teachers—don’t get me wrong—I wouldn’t be here without it. But I’ve had teachers tell our class, “I get paid regardless.” And we remember that. We remember that. So, just love, expectations, and bringing a good pace to the classroom.

And finally, how do you hold to affect this next generation of students and STEAMbassadors?

Chris: One of the things I always liked that I heard from my dad was, “I want my ceiling to be your floor.” I want to build a level of trust, respect and love with any child I come into interaction with. To the effect that, I can prevent them from making the same mistakes or going in ways that I did. Because honestly, why should they have to touch the stove to know that it’s hot? We’re honestly here as adults to steer the next generation in, and the last thing I would want to do is learn the hard way.