Mrs. Haynes is the mother of Edwin LaMar Haynes.
Mrs. Haynes made significant contributions to education and children through her dedicated service in a number of positions. She began her teaching career in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1936, she was employed by the Charleston County Department of Education, now the Charleston County School District. She was a teacher and principal at Miley Hill Elementary School in Ravenel, South Carolina, for 14 years. In 1964, she was appointed the Jeanes Supervisor for the Charleston County Department of Education, where she served until 1967. After desegregation of the public schools, Mrs. Haynes was appointed the first Assistant Personnel Director for Charleston County. She remained in that position until she retired from the Charleston County School System in 1974.
Mrs. Haynes continued with her service to the community after her retirement from the public school system. In 1974, she was elected to the City of Charleston’s Constituent School District #20 Board of Trustees and served in that position until 1978. She then taught adult education for several years.
Mrs. Haynes’ support of her teaching colleagues equaled her dedication to children. In October 1977, when there was much controversy about the use of the National Teacher Examination to determine a teacher’s qualifications, she sent a letter to the editor of the Charleston News and Courier, outlining what she believed was necessary to provide quality education for children. She affirmed her belief in high academic standards rather than a national test, more and better materials and equipment for classrooms, smaller classes, competitive salaries, highly trained administrators who keep in touch with what goes on in classrooms, and the full cooperation of parents. In that letter, Mrs. Haynes had a message for teachers: ” … In light of the excessive criticism heaped upon heads of teachers in recent days, I should like to say to our teachers, do not become discouraged. Recently, many high-powered negative statements have appeared in newspaper articles and have been heard on radio and television. Do not allow such statements made by many who have never had one day’s teaching experience to defeat you. Continue to work hard to improve vourselves as teachers, remembering that a teacher’s influence follows a pupil throughout his or her life.”
See website: Evelyn Bonaparte Haynes | A Tribute for Her Centennial Birthday