Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of Q&As with the eight teachers who have been chosen by Athens City Schools as teachers of the year. The teachers will be honored at a banquet at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, in the ballroom of the Sandridge Student Center on the campus of Athens State University. Tickets are $25 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Athens City Schools Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at www.acsf.acs-k12.org/toy.

• Name: Lorri Haynes

• School: Athens Renaissance School

• Grades taught: K-12 counselor

• Personal: Children, William Palmer, 18, and Sara Kathryn Haynes, 12

• Degree: Master’s in school counseling from the University of North Alabama and bachelor’s in education comprehensive social science from the University of Alabama

• Hometown: Athens

• How many years have you been a teacher? 19

• How many years have you been with Athens City Schools? 1

• Why did you become a teacher? “I became a teacher because of wonderful Athens High School educators like Jan Hargrove, Patricia Hatchett, Carol Paterson, Jim Miner and Cassandra Moore. All of those teachers had an enormous impact on my life. I hope to build that same type of relationship and love of learning with my students.”

• The best part of my day is: “Greeting each student in the morning and asking about them and their families.”

• Who has been your greatest source of inspiration? “My grandmother, Lorene Flanagan.”

• I hope to inspire my students by: “Loving and respecting them and in turn teaching them to love and respect themselves and others.”

• What advice would you like to share with new teachers? “It’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, it’s good for students to see you make mistakes. It teaches students to be fearless and try new things.”

• This is called the Gratitude Banquet. For what are you most grateful this year? “I am most thankful for the opportunity to return to Athens City Schools. A school system that gave so much to me continues to give to my children. I have always been very proud of my hometown and the people who reside in Athens, Alabama.”