Exuberant and enthusiastic are the first words most use to describe Linne Haywood. She is passionate and fervent when she discusses her students, a book, a lesson, or anything else related to being a teacher and just can’t contain her zeal. Linne has taught in the Darrington School District since 1999, first as a substitute and then full-time. Linne has implemented and led an alternative learning environment to help students retrieve credits and attain their diplomas after dropping out of high school and now serves as an English Language Arts teacher.
In 2010, she started teaching a leadership class and became ASB advisor. She coaches volleyball, is a senior class advisor, and is the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying officer for her district. In addition, she is the building representative for her local union and leads professional development for the high school staff. This year, she partnered with ECC to teach two College in the High School courses, offering her students dual credit with the high school and the local community college.
Linne is an avid volunteer and is the president of the local North Counties Family Services Board of Directors. Quick to say "yes", Linne believes that one should "bloom where they are planted" and she is planted and blossoming firmly in the little hamlet of Darrington. Linne and Rick Haywood have four incredibly smart and sassy children, all grown up and all with high school diplomas from Darrington High School. Linne says that one of her greatest joys was being able to have her own children in her classroom, and she honors that opportunity with other people's children on a daily basis.
“Mrs. Haywood has seen my worst days and my best days,” writes alum Alfred Mugho. “She made me understand that perseverance and persistence are keys to success, but need to be counter balanced with sentiment and compassion. People are our world, and we must help them. One thing she has said that has always resonated with me is this, ‘one loss is a loss for all of us.’ That simple phrase transformed my perception of the world. It has spurred me to give more than I take and to lead by action.”
