Charles Hayes

Memphis, TN | K-6, Science, 2020

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

What motivates me to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching is seeing students enjoy classroom lessons and actively engage with STEM activities. I also enjoy supporting colleagues as we grow together in this profession. I began as a 6th grade science teacher and was fortunate to have strong mentorship early on. That guidance shaped me and helped me provide quality, engaging lessons. Now, I feel a strong responsibility to pass that support on to other educators and their students.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

One of the most meaningful moments that affirmed my impact on STEM education was being invited to speak as one of three keynote panelists at the 2024 NSTA Conference in Denver. It was an incredible experience to share my story and connect with so many passionate educators. Just as powerful, though, was a moment in the classroom while co-teaching a lesson. A student, fully engaged in a hands-on investigation, looked up and said, “I feel like a scientist! I feel like I can be a scientist!” That simple, powerful statement captured everything I hope to achieve as an educator—helping students see themselves in STEM and believe in their potential. Whether on a national stage or in a classroom, moments like these remind me why this work matters.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a Presidential Awardee, I hope to continue working with teachers at the local, state, and national levels—encouraging them to give their best to our profession. By sharing my experience working with students and educators from various backgrounds, I hope to inspire teachers to recognize their capacity to bring out the best in every student. Empowering and encouraging educators is key to advancing STEM education and ensuring all students have access to transformational learning experiences.

Biography

Charles Hayes has been an educator since 1994, bringing over 30 years of experience into the field of science and STEM education. He currently serves as the Instructional Advisor for Middle School Science with the Memphis-Shelby County Schools' Department of Curriculum and Instruction in Memphis, TN. In addition to his advisory role, he is a professional development provider for K–8 science teachers and has also supported the Tennessee Department of Education by providing professional development for K–5 science. His accomplishments include receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) at both the state and national levels, and the National Science Teaching Association's (NSTA) Shell Science Teaching Award. Desiring to grow as a leader, Charles joined the NSTA Shell Science Teaching Award Judging Panel and is currently a fellow with the Innovation Collaborative, a national transdisciplinary forum that fosters creativity, innovation, and equity in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) teaching and learning. He also serves as a science ambassador for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has served as chairperson of NSTA's Urban Science Education Advisory Board, is a founding member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools STEM Teacher Leader Fellows Program cohort (STLFP), and represents District 12 on the Tennessee Science Teachers Association Board of Directors. He has also presented at NSTA conferences, sharing his expertise and passion for science education with educators nationwide. Charles earned a B.B.A. in Management Information Systems and an M.S. in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership from the University of Memphis. He is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade education.

High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
Awardee with Dr. Quincy Brown, Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Dr. Sylvia Butterfield, Acting Assistant Director at the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) within the National Science Foundation (NSF)
High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.