Amanda Hayworth is officially rejoining Elkhorn North staff beginning again for the 2026-27 school year. Hayworth taught English at ENHS from 2021 to 2025, including AP Language and Composition, English 9, and ESLA. After having her baby, Wesley in March of 2025, Hayworth decided to spend a year with him at home.
For Hayworth, this past year has consisted of staying home and taking care of her son, while also teaching an English Composition class during the fall semester at UNO, a class she also taught while getting her graduate degree.
Hayworth also spent her time reading, knitting, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
“I wanted the opportunity to be with my son and I was able to be with him full-time while he was really little,” Hayworth said.“During the summer he would’ve been a few months old but when I come back in August he will be over a year, so I’ll get more time when he was really little.
The time off was important to Hayworth so she could be able to focus on her son and transition into becoming a mom. This has taught her even more patience that will be able to be brought into her classroom when she returns to school next fall.
“I have learned that being a teacher is a part of who I am and I can’t live without it,” Hayworth said.
During her time away Hayworth was able to reflect about how much teaching meant to her, along with the community and the people at Elkhorn North.
“I’m excited to have her back for the students but mostly for me because we’re really close friends,” English teacher Chloe Healy said, “Elkhorn North has felt a little less good without her here, and nothing and no one can fill her spot.”
Hayworth was a big part of the dynamic at Elkhorn North building relationships with the students as well as the staff that she worked with every day.
“I’m very excited to be back,” Hayworth said, “I’ve missed Elkhorn North more than I ever thought I would.”
It’s important to Hayworth that her classroom is a welcoming, fun, and positive environment for the students who are in it.
“My favorite thing about Mrs. Hayworth is that if you didn’t understand something, not all but a lot of teachers will talk down to you, but she explained it in fifteen different ways,” senior Priscilla Nelson said. Hayworth was the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) faculty sponsor during her time at ENHS.
Hayworth is eager to get back into the classroom and teach the kids about the most important topics of writing that will go beyond the classroom and the skills that will help them be the most successful.
“I loved how welcoming her classroom was and how she was always willing to answer any questions that I had,” junior Emma Nadgwick said. Hayworth had Nadgwick in her English 9 class.
The environment in Hayworth’s classroom made students look forward to walking in each day. Her room was an oasis in the stressful day to day lives of many students.
“I always want my classroom to be an inviting and fun space [for students] and everyday I truly look forward to seeing kids in my classroom and if they get to be in my class next year know that I’m already excited to see them,” Hayworth said.
