Tell us a little about your family!
Whitney: Hi there! We’re Whitney and Alex Haynes, and our family stays busy with school, sports, music, and making memories together. I’m excited to begin my 19th year in education as the new Instructional Coach at Meadow Lands Elementary. Alex is starting his 16th year in education and is making the move to Daviess County Middle School as a sixth-grade math teacher.
We have three amazing kids who definitely keep us on our toes! Hunter, 15, attends Daviess County High School, where she is a member of the Band of Pride. She was also the winner of Cromwell Media’s Anthem Idol! Bailey, 12, attends Daviess County Middle School and is a member of the Daviess County Junior Varsity Color Guard. Our youngest, Preston, 8, loves playing basketball, spending time outdoors, and, of course, playing Roblox.
Life at home is wonderfully full! Between band events, color guard, basketball, school activities, and cheering one another on, there’s rarely a dull moment—but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Education is at the heart of both of your careers. How has being an educator influenced the way you parent?
Alex: Being educators has definitely influenced the way we parent. More than anything, it has reinforced our belief that education is truly a partnership between schools and families. We never want to place all of the responsibility on teachers because we know firsthand how important it is for parents to be actively involved. We try to be as supportive as possible by staying engaged with our children’s learning, communicating with their teachers, and encouraging them to always give their best effort.
One unexpected perk of being educators is that our kids know they cannot get away with much! We regularly communicate with their teachers, principals, and coaches, so they know we’re usually aware of what’s happening at school. More importantly, though, we want them to understand that everyone in their lives is on the same team, working together to help them learn, grow, and become responsible, caring individuals.
What have your children taught you that no classroom ever could?
Whitney: Right now, our oldest, Hunter, is learning to drive, and I don’t think anything prepares you for sitting in the passenger seat while your teenager is behind the wheel. It’s been a lesson in trust—and a reminder that all those years of teaching, encouraging, correcting, and praying have been leading to moments like this. I also discovered that I wasn’t nearly as calm and patient as I thought I was! Thankfully, Hunter is doing a wonderful job, and every drive gets a little easier.
Each of our kids has a way of expanding our world. Bailey is our family’s walking IMDb. She has a movie quote for just about everything, keeps us up to date on the latest trends and kid lingo, and loves laughing at the comedy classics Alex and I grew up watching. Preston is our Marvel encyclopedia. He can tell you every movie, the year it was released, every superhero’s backstory, and exactly how they all connect. I stopped trying to keep up years ago—I just ask Preston.
When the school day is over, how does your family unplug and spend time together?
Alex: For us, unplugging can be a variety of things. Some evenings that might be watching a movie or a favorite show on Netflix, while other times it could be playing video games, board games, or card games as a family. We try to make time for activities that everyone enjoys, even if they look a little different from day to day.
One of our favorite family activities is going to Iron Jungle. We are members there, and their kids’ nights have become a great tradition for us. Our two oldest are old enough to work out alongside us, while our youngest enjoys playing basketball, dodgeball, and other games with the other kids. It gives everyone something they enjoy while still spending quality time together.
We also enjoy getting out around town. Weekend breakfasts at places like Deloris’ or Dee’s are always a favorite. Sunday mornings are spent at church, where Whitney and Hunter both sing in the choir, and if there’s a good movie playing, you’ll often find us at Malco. Sometimes the best family time is something simple, like making a quick Starbucks, Scooter’s, or Dutch Bros run or stopping by the library just to browse and spend time together.
And if we’re being completely honest, one member of our family is usually along for the ride whenever she can be. We rescued our Pomeranian from the local animal shelter a few years ago, and she has fully embraced family life. She loves tagging along, lounging wherever we are, and simply being part of whatever we’re doing. We’ve joked that she’s our family’s spirit animal because she’s happiest when she’s with us, taking life one relaxing adventure at a time.
Your children see you serving your community every day through education. What do you hope they learn by watching the example you set?
Whitney: We hope our children see that a career is about so much more than a paycheck—it’s about making a difference in the lives of others. Education isn’t always easy, but it is deeply meaningful. We hope they’ve seen that showing up with kindness, working hard, and caring about people can have a lasting impact.
More than anything, we hope they learn the value of serving others with humility and giving their best, even when no one is watching. We want them to know that success isn’t measured only by achievements, but by the way you treat people, the relationships you build, and the positive difference you make in your community.
We also hope they see that learning never stops. Whether we’re preparing lessons, coaching teachers, solving math problems with students, or simply learning from our own mistakes, we want our children to understand that growth comes from being willing to keep learning, stay curious, and become a little better each day. If they carry those values into whatever path they choose, we’ll consider ourselves incredibly blessed.
If you could leave fellow parents with one piece of advice—whether as educators, parents, or both—what would it be?
Whitney and Alex: If we could leave fellow parents with one piece of advice, it would be this: Make sure your child feels deeply known. Take the time to learn what excites them, what challenges them, what makes them laugh, and what makes them feel loved. Every child is wonderfully unique, and one of the greatest gifts we can give them is to celebrate who they are while encouraging them to become all they were created to be.