Karma Haynes Ed.D.

I attribute my success to resilience, persistence, and a strong work ethic. Both of my parents modeled a high standard of dedication. My mother was an educator and middle school science teacher, and my father was a curator at the Virginia Beach Aquarium. In addition to his work at the aquarium, he also taught scuba diving in the evenings. Watching my parents balance their careers while still being present for their family shaped how I approach my own work and life. I come from a long line of educators, and that commitment to hard work, resilience, and lifelong learning has been ingrained in me from the beginning.

The best career advice I ever received came from a couple I met while working at a restaurant early in my career. The wife was an advocate for families of students with special needs and often supported them through court proceedings. I respected them both greatly, and during a time when I was considering a major career change, she shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since. She told me that every major change in their lives had ultimately worked out for the better. Either they realized how much they valued what they had before, or the change opened the door to opportunities they would not have experienced otherwise. I thought about that advice when I moved from Norfolk, Virginia, to Sacramento. While I did not enjoy my job there, the experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone. It helped me see things more broadly and introduced me to new people and perspectives.

Change can feel uncomfortable, but it is often where the most growth happens. I remind my doctoral students of this often. Their ability to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty often enables them to complete their doctorate and grow as professionals.

Education is a female-dominated field, but it can still be challenging to navigate. My advice is to spend some time observing before trying to lead. Pay attention to the people who are thoughtful, kind, and respected in their work, and seek out opportunities to learn from them.

I often look for the educators who may not be the loudest voices in the room but who approach their work with care and integrity. Ask them how they built their careers and what they have learned along the way. Take time to observe the culture around you, identify the people who lead with kindness and thoughtfulness, and follow their example rather than the loudest voices in the room.

One of the biggest challenges in education right now is the shortage of teachers. We need more people who are willing to enter the profession, but the demands of the job have grown significantly in recent years. Class sizes are larger, responsibilities have increased, and many teachers are feeling exhausted. A challenge I see often is the lack of substitute teachers. When substitutes are not available, teachers are asked to cover additional classes, which means they lose planning periods and sometimes even lunch breaks. Over time, that loss of recovery time adds up, and many educators feel drained with very little opportunity to reset. In my role as an instructional coach, I see firsthand how dedicated teachers are and how much they give to their students every day. I also see how important it is for educators to have time, support, and mentorship so they can sustain that work over the long term. At the same time, student needs have become more complex, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in early childhood settings, we are seeing more challenging behaviors and greater social-emotional needs among students. Teachers are working incredibly hard to meet those needs while also managing the academic expectations placed on them. Another factor is the level of preparation required to enter the field. Many teachers are expected to complete a master’s degree, which represents a significant investment of both time and money. Compared with other professions that require similar levels of education, the financial incentives are often much lower.

Despite these challenges, education remains an incredibly meaningful profession. The opportunity lies in supporting teachers more intentionally, strengthening mentorship and leadership within schools, and creating environments where educators feel valued so they can continue doing the important work that drew them to the field.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are kindness, empathy, and acceptance of others. As an only child who later had three children of my own, I always encourage my kids to be patient with one another and to give one another grace on difficult days. I try to help them find ways to show kindness in their everyday interactions.

It is one thing to be good at your job. With enough practice and effort, most people can develop strong professional skills. What matters even more to me is how we treat other people. In today’s world, if we are not intentionally choosing kindness and empathy, we risk missing the opportunity to truly connect with others. These values guide everything I do, from how I work with teachers and doctoral students to how I raise my children.