KSEE - Educator of the Week » Educator Stories

Educator of the Week: Layne Hathorn

By KSEE News
November 27, 2011 Updated Nov 25, 2011 at 10:49 PM PDT

"After you finish your years of teaching, I have 39 classes here and I remember all of them."

Looking back at a lifetime in education. Layne Hathorn is enjoying retirement after 39 years as a teacher in Fresno.

"You want them to know what they're capable of. You want to give them the attention they need to bloom, to blossom. You want to move them forward so they'll go ahead to high school and graduate and move to college and become successful."

And one of her former students did just that. Robert Vasquez was a 3rd grader in Miss Hathorn's class. And was so inspired by her, he decided to become a teacher himself.

"When I look back, she was the one teacher that i remember the most of any teacher I had. And if it wasn't for her, I don't think I'd want to be in education right now. I saw her drive, I saw her commitment and thought, that's what it's all about."

And even after all these years, it's obvious that Miss Hathorn's still passionate about her impact as a teacher. And to see a former student follow in her footsteps because of her, means a lot.

"You plant these seeds and you hope kids get something from it, but they come back to you like this and express their desire to do what you do, it's such a rewarding feeling and you realize you've done something. You've made a difference."

"You need to get yourself a journal and write down those moments, because when you retire, you can write a book."

Miss Hathorn's still giving lessons, valuable advice from one teacher to another. So it's only appropriate that her former student make the presentation, honoring her as our Educator of the Week.

Miss Hathorn says one of her favorite things to do, now that she's retired, is to go out to breakfast on weekdays! And after 39 years in teaching, she's earned it.

And if you'd like to nominate someone to be our educator of the week, it's easy! Just go to our website, KSEE24.com. Then, click on community, then submission. Tell us why your choice should be educator of the week!

Every week, the winning teacher and her classroom will receive a $124 gift certificate from GW School Supply. They'll also get their names engraved on a brick on the 'Teacher and Friends of Education Honor Wall', at Fresno State's Kremen School of Education.

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