Meet Haynes Kaufman! Haynes is history teacher at East Hall Middle School and mother of two. She has lived in Gainesville since 1983. She says the most interesting person she has met in Hall County is Pam Ware, the drama director at Gainesville High School.

We want to thank Haynes for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.

Question: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
Answer: “First National Bank moved my family to Gainesville in 1983.”

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why?
A: “The most interesting person I’ve met in Hall County is Pam Ware because she is absolutely ageless and maintains her finger on the pulse of Gainesville. I had her as a teacher and still have amazing memories of my 1988 NYC trip.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I teach about and would love to visit South West Asia, and I’d love to see Turkey.”

Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “It was either ‘Grease’ or ‘Star Wars’ in 1978.”

Q: What is something on your bucket list.
A: “I would like to advocate at the state level for more Autism programs and placements in order to help children, adults, and families as they navigate challenging circumstances.”

Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County and why?
A: “I loved the grill at the Chattahoochee Golf Course because I remember riding my bike there as a child to get a grilled cheese.”

Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “Hall County has grown and changed a lot since we moved here in 1983, but one thing remains the same, and that is the love and concern for people who live in a close-knit small town in the South.”

Q: Who are your three favorite musicians or bands?
A: “I can tell you which concerts I’ve been to; my first concert was Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, U2, Beastie Boys, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, INXS , Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Dave Mathews, Run-DMC.”

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
A: “I would choose a personal parapro to be in my classroom, with me all day everyday.”

Q: What three words mean HOME to you?
A: “Definitely the Square, a pile of clean laundry.”