I have been to the end of the world and back, seeing one of the most amazing parts of it. I am still amazed by the fact that I was actually there!

Maria Terneus-Hayes is a third-grade teacher at Corl Street Elementary. Not native to Pennsylvania, or even America, Terneus-Hayes was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. While she may be a long way from her childhood home, she has certainly settled nicely in central Pennsylvania. For Terneus-Hayes, education was always an important part of her upbringing and life. Since as far back as she can remember, she has always wanted to be a teacher. “I was inspired by my third-grade teacher in Ecuador and by my English literature teacher in high school,” she says. “They were my role models.”

To pursue her dream of teaching, Terneus-Hayes enrolled at Lock Haven University in 1979, where she earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in education. During her time at Lock Haven, she met and married her husband, settling down in the town of Lock Haven. Following graduation from Lock Haven University, she continued her education at Bloomsburg University, earning her Masters of Education degree.

I want my students to always have an open mind and see the world and others in clear eyes, without any prejudices.

Since 1989, Terneus-Hayes has lived out her passion for teaching, eventually landing in the State College Area School District. “I started teaching in 1989, first with remedial reading in Keystone Central School District and Montoursville Area School District. I came to State College in 1994, starting out at Radio Park Elementary before moving to Corl Street in 2001,” she explains. Terneus-Hayes appreciates the opportunities that SCASD affords its students. “State College Area School District is a great district. They are always on the forefront of teaching and learning practices, providing teachers with the tools they need to prepare children to be responsible human beings.”

Terneus-Hayes’ life experiences and abilities bring a unique perspective to her classroom. A world traveler, she is able to share her experiences with her students, opening their eyes to other ways of life. “I speak three languages fluently, and can read and understand five languages. I have attended school in a different country, traveled extensively, and visited many schools around the world,” she states. Recently, Terneus-Hayes was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Antarctica. “I have always wanted to see penguins,” she reveals. “My youngest sister works for a company called Silver Seas and when she asked me if I wanted to go with her to Antarctica, I didn’t hesitate to answer yes!” To Terneus-Hayes, it is hard for her to even believe she was given this opportunity and is glad to be able to share it with her students. “It was a life-altering experience. I have been to the end of the world and back, seeing one of the most amazing parts of it. I am still amazed by the fact that I was actually there!”

For Terneus-Hayes, being able to provide her students with personal stories from around the world is essential in teaching them about the world. She shares her unique perspective in the hopes that her students will be more open as children and into their adult life. “I want my students to always have an open mind and see the world and others in clear eyes, without any prejudices. I want them to be life-long learnings and I tell them that if we stop learning, we will stop being human.”