First time teacher moves into support role at West Side

WORLAND – Hanna Bayha is the new learning support teacher at West Side Elementary, stepping into her first teaching position after living in Worland the last four years.

Bayha was originally brought here with her boyfriend who is an engine captain for the Bureau of Land Management. Before moving to Worland, she grew up working for a cattle ranch in Brewster, Washington, where her family also grows apples and cherries.

Bayha has received her bachelor's degree in animal sciences from the University of Idaho, her master's in curriculum and instruction with a teaching license from Montana State University in Billings (MSU-B) online and completed her student teaching in Buffalo. Bayha is also currently attending MSU-B working on her special education endorsement.

Outside of the classroom she enjoys anything to do outdoors which includes camping, fishing, hiking, running, biking and riding horses. Bayha also enjoys baking, "especially on these cool fall days," and took up gardening this past summer, which included working in the Worland Community Garden and had a garden of her own.

Her favorite thing about teaching is watching her students grow and learn.

"When a student has an ah-ha moment there is nothing better," Bayha said. "I love to see students develop their own interest and see what students are passionate about."

She hopes that she will be able to make a difference in many kids' lives, and she thinks it is so fun to see kids so happy to be back at school after being gone for so long.

The first month has been an awesome experience for her, as she finally feels like she is getting into a routine with the kids. She knows that a lot of people ask her about masks and how learning is going with them, but she would not change it for anything as they are keeping the kids healthy and learning.