Joyce Haven

Saint James School second grade teacher Joyce Haven has been shaping young minds with patience, compassion, and a steady belief that every child deserves to feel valued. This month, APT proudly recognizes her as the May 2026 Teacher of the Month.

Originally from North Carolina, Joyce has called Montgomery home for over 30 years. During that time, she has dedicated her life to education, spending more than three decades in the classroom helping children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Although she currently teaches second grade, she also spent years teaching Kindergarten before making the move to older elementary students.

For Joyce, teaching was never just a career choice; it was a calling.

“I always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember,” she shared. “I am motivated to help children learn and reach their potential both academically and socially.”

That passion is reflected in the way she approaches her classroom each year. Joyce believes one of the most important qualities a teacher can possess is patience and understanding, recognizing that every child enters the classroom carrying different experiences, challenges, and needs.

“I think patience and understanding are important qualities a teacher should possess because all children are different and come from different backgrounds,” she explained. “They come to school with many things going on in their lives.”

Her students clearly feel that care. Joyce works intentionally to build strong, positive relationships by learning about each child’s interests, strengths, and areas where they may need encouragement. She focuses heavily on helping students build confidence, embrace challenges, and understand that mistakes are simply part of learning.

She even makes the effort to support students outside the classroom by attending their extracurricular activities whenever possible, a gesture that helps strengthen trust and connection.

“We strive to have a classroom built on respect,” she said.

When it comes to keeping students engaged, Joyce believes enthusiasm is contagious. If students see their teacher genuinely excited about learning, they are more likely to become excited too. She encourages curiosity, questions, and a willingness to try new things.

To meet the diverse needs of her students, Joyce uses a blend of auditory, visual, and hands-on learning strategies, ensuring every child has opportunities to succeed in ways that fit their learning style.

And while she has spent decades teaching children, she says her students continue teaching her as well.

“My students have taught me to have patience and compassion,” she said. “A sense of humor is also very important!”

If her students were asked to describe her in just three words, Joyce believes they would choose: loving, kind, and encouraging. Honestly? That tracks perfectly.

As part of her Teacher of the Month recognition, Joyce received a $1,000 award, which she plans to use to create a classroom regulation station; a calm, safe space where students can learn to manage their emotions and feelings.

“The regulation station area will benefit the students by giving them a safe and comfortable environment to help them regulate their feelings and emotions in a peaceful and calm area,” she explained. “It will also be a way to help my future students.”

The project reflects her deep understanding that education is about far more than academics. Children learn best when they feel emotionally safe, supported, and understood.

Despite her many years of experience, Joyce describes receiving the recognition as both “tremendous and unexpected”.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family at the lake or in the mountains, as well as reading and baking, honestly, the kind of hobbies that sound exactly right for the warm, comforting energy she brings into her classroom.

Her favorite advice to students is simple but powerful: “Be a kind friend to everyone and try to make good choices.”

And for new teachers entering the profession, her guidance is equally grounded: “Be flexible and fair to all children.”

After more than 30 years in education, Joyce Haven continues to remind us of what great teaching truly looks like: patience, heart, humility, and a genuine commitment to helping every child believe in themselves.

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