Student Profile: Carly Hayes ’24

Carly Hayes ’24 is a senior at Westfield State and is majoring in math and secondary education in the hopes of becoming a high school math teacher. Originally from Auburn, MA, Hayes had always known that she wanted to teach, and eventually discovered her passion for math. She is also a tour guide and member of Pi Mu Epsilon, the honor society for mathematics.

Initially, Hayes was drawn to the University due to the size of its campus. “It wasn’t too big, but it wasn’t too small either, and it’s the perfect distance away from home for me,” she said. “I’m able to get that independent feeling while living here, but I’m still able to go home if I need to.” Hayes was also able to sit in on a math class during Accepted Student Day, which locked in her decision to attend the University.

She described her time on campus as “fun” and “convenient”, and cited her roommates as part of the reason for why she loves living here. Hayes commented that she spends a lot of time with them, in between classes, working as a tour guide, and going to the gym. “I have all the resources I need, all within a few minutes’ walk,” she added. She expressed similar sentiments about her position as a tour guide, saying that “she loves it since it’s just a fun job on campus”, as it allows her to talk about her own experience as a student.

Her professors were also cited as one of her favorite things about Westfield State. Since she was first drawn to the University’s smaller community, having that support from the faculty has made a difference when preparing to graduate. “All of the mathematics professors here are great. They're very much willing to make connections and help you. I'd say Professor Christine Von Renesse has been very supportive of me. She's one of my advisers, and she's always quick to respond when I have a question. She's helpful in wanting me to step out of my comfort zone, and her advice is going to benefit me as a future math teacher.”

Currently, Hayes is completing her pre-practicum at Westfield High School, where she’ll complete a full semester of practicum in the spring. For her pre-practicum, she attends high school classes for three hours a week. While she spends a lot of that time observing, she also was able to teach two lessons of her own. Otherwise, she works with the students to help them understand course material, in addition to answering any questions they may have. The experience has helped her become “more comfortable with teaching” as well as highlighting her own strengths as a future teacher.

Overall, Hayes has found a home at the University, and emphasized the importance of community and support. For her, being uplifted by her professors has set her on the track to her future career as a high school mathematics teacher.

“My professors’ style of teaching, and the mathematics department as whole, have definitely prepared me for how I want to teach mathematics as a future teacher,” she said. “The collaboration and inquiry-based learning that they do has really shown me the importance of students’ problem-solving skills, like taking risks in the classroom. My experience as a student here is definitely going to shape the way I teach mathematics one day.”