By Ellie Smith
Features Editor
As a child, Jeff Haight recalls enjoying taking many hikes through the woods with his father and five siblings. Spending time outdoors with his family is what initially got the science teacher interested in the subject of science and his love for science stemmed from him and his father’s enjoyment of the outdoors.
“My dad’s sunday school teacher when he was young happened to be a world renowned naturalist, Edwin Way Teale, who would take the class out in the fields to point out plants and insects,” said Haight. “My father taught a lot of what he learned to me and I became very interested in science.”
His love of science became a career in teaching and after 35 years of teaching, Haight is retiring at the end of this year.
Haight spent 31 of his 35 years as a science teacher teaching at Westford Academy. His first 4 years, he taught physical science for eighth graders at Abbot Middle School, now Abbot Elementary School.
Haight went to college at the University of Maine, majoring in forestry. After graduating, he received his teaching certification before attending UMASS Lowell, earning a masters degree in biology.
While teaching at WA, Haight has taught multiple science classes including physics, chemistry, and environmental science. He even taught a woodworking and candle making class during his early years as a teacher at WA.
Haight became interested in teaching in high school because of the teachers who taught him throughout his high school career.
“I had some very good teachers, especially in high school, who taught me a lot,” said Haight. “They allowed me to enjoy the subject matter that they were teaching and inspired me to become a teacher.”
Haight has been involved in coaching soccer at WA since 1984. He coached girls varsity soccer for 16 years, then volunteered to help coach varsity for 10 years. Starting in 2009, he was the coach of the freshmen girls’ soccer team for 4 years.
Math teacher Mark Quattrocchi has enjoyed working with Haight for 18 years as they have both coached soccer together for many years.
“I’ve worked with Mr.Haight for the past 18 years and in that time I’ve come to know him as one of the most caring and compassionate people I’ve ever met,” said Quattrocchi. “He truly bleeds maroon and grey.”
In his retirement, Haight and his wife, who is also retiring this year, plan to visit various places around the country and are looking forward to spending time traveling together.
“We started doing some traveling over the past 15 years, out west in national parks. So, we are looking forward to doing more traveling around the country,” said Haight. “Alaska is one of the places we would like to try to get to.”
He is also looking forward to spending more of his time on hobbies like woodworking and fishing. Haight also plans to spend more time helping his 87 year old mother.
Over his years of teaching, Haight most enjoys when he sees his students succeed in both college and their careers. He finds it rewarding when his previous students visit him and share their successes with him.
“When I teach kids and they might major in biology and start their own careers, I enjoy seeing them years later and hearing them talk about how much fun they are having in their field,” said Haight. “Just seeing kids succeed is very rewarding.”
Sophomore Olivia Morin, who had Haight as both a biology teacher and soccer coach, felt she is fortunate to have have met him and wishes him happiness in his retirement.
“Mr.Haight is such an honest, fair and funny person,” said Morin. “He has been an inspiration on and off the field and he’s shown me you can push through anything. He’s made such an impact on my life.”
