First-year teacher excited to start in Lakeside

It took one semester for Hayley Donovan to realize she wanted to follow in her parent’s footsteps.

Donovan, a new first-grade teacher at Lakeside Elementary, comes from a long line of educators. Her grandparents and parents worked in education, and growing up in Havre, Donovan always said she wanted to do something different. So when she arrived at the University of Montana she entered the business school.

After the first semester she decided she was in the wrong field, and switched to the elementary education program.

“I always knew I loved kids and wanted to work with kids,” she said.

She graduated from UM in May and interviewed for the job in Lakeside the day after. With graduation, many classmates already had jobs or interviews lined up, and Donovan was unsure about where she was going. “I was just so thrilled to get an interview,” she said.

She got the job and arrived in Lakeside in August and dived straight into preparation work for the school year.

Covering first grade curriculum is a bit new for Donovan, who did her student teaching in fourth grade; but she’s discovered Lakeside had a great support system.

“I have a wonderful team of first grade teachers,” she said. “I have lots of people I can go and ask questions to.”

A lot of what they work on the first few weeks of school in first grade are procedures, Donovan said — basic school etiquette like lining up, being quiet in the hallway. Getting the kids solid on those makes the year go smoother as they dive into curriculum.

Working with her students is Donovan’s favorite part about the job. Seeing them grow keeps her excited.

“I have 15 kids and they’re incredible,” she said. “It’s so nice to leave every night and know I have a small part in their growth. First grade is so full of academic growth.”

Donovan feels lucky to have ended up in Lakeside for her first job. Besides working with a great staff and good students, she enjoys the area. When she was looking for work she knew she wanted to stay in the mountains. She enjoys hiking, running fly fishing and being outdoors. “I really love where I’m at right now and I can’t see myself being any where else,” she said.