Meet the Team!

 Mrs. Hailey Haywood grew up in Newburgh, In. She graduated from Castle High School in 2015 and quickly started her undergraduate degree that fall. She studied Art Education with an emphasis in Painting at Murray State University. She graduated from Murray in 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Art Education and quickly gained her Kentucky Teaching Certification. While studying at Murray State, Haywood was on the board of the National Art Education Association Student Chapter, and served as president for two consecutive semesters. After being placed at Henderson County High School for student teaching, she was elated to be offered a position to teach art for the Colonels, just a few short months after gaining her Teaching Certification. She plans to get her Master’s of Education in the near future and is currently serving as the SoFA/Fine Arts Department Coordinator along with teaching Visual Art at HCHS.

Mrs. Haywood is married with one son who is the light of her life. Outside of school, Hailey enjoys drawing, reading, and watching anything that will make her laugh. Teaching is something she feels that she was born to do, and enjoys every bit of it. She is excited for another wonderful year!

Mr. John Woods is originally from Madisonville, KY, and music has been a central part of his life for as long as he can remember. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from WKU in 2015, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching Music P-12 from the University of the Cumberlands in 2020, and is currently working on his Doctor of Music Education at Liberty University. Over the past eight years, Mr. Woods has had the privilege of teaching in various roles, including four years as Band Director for the Edmonson County School District. During that time, he grew the beginning band from 5 to 25 members and led the marching band to state semifinals in 2018 and 2019. John joined Henderson County in 2021, starting at North Middle before transitioning to HCHS in 2022 as Assistant Director. This year, he is  excited to step into the role of Head Band Director and continue building this amazing program.

Outside of teaching, John is married with three wonderful kids who keep him busy and inspired. When he is not at school or with his family, he enjoys playing golf, shooting basketball, listening to music, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. Music and teaching are his passions, and he beyond excited to continue working with all of you!

 Andrew “A. J.” Casey is the Theatre Instructor at HCHS.  He studied theatre and film at Murray State University where he was a Presidential Scholar.  A. J. has worked in theatre and film in various capacities including working on the much acclaimed documentary “A Scar on the System” for WNIN.  He also is a producer on the TV Series, “Any Road” that airs on PBS. During his 5 year tenure at HCHS A. J. has produced or directed the following shows:  “The Mousetrap,” “Addam Family” (cancelled due to covid), “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, “HairSpray,” “A Ringing of Doorbells,” “A. M. L.,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Clue,” “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “The Crucible,” and short works for the Manhattan Theatre Link project.  Currently A. J. and SoFA Theatre are collaborating with the video production pathway on the film project, “Henderson: I Love You.” 

 Mrs. Laura Staffeld grew up in Rockport, Indiana. She graduated from South Spencer High School in 1998 and began her love for performing in the Summer of 1999 as a singer/ dancer at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.  That passion continued for the next couple of years until after graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2003 with a Music Education Degree.  She then taught vocal music for one year at South Spencer, only to quickly learn her love for the stage was not yet finished.  A move to Tucson, Arizona soon followed to pursue a singer/dancer/stunt actress role at Old Tucson Studios, an old-west  theme park.  Who knew that being a gun- slingin’, stunt performin’, can-can cutie would be the best years of her life!  That is until she met her future husband, Josh, who was a sound technician at the park.  Laura moved back to Indiana in the Spring of 2008 where she continued as a director/choreographer for a theme park entertainment company, Encore International.  During this time, Laura was able to travel the country yet also choreograph for area school show choirs and musicals. It was that work with students which helped make her decision to begin looking for a way back into the school systems. In 2009, Laura was hired to be the director of choirs at Heritage Hills Middle and High School in Lincoln City, Indiana. Over that time, she received her Master Degree in Education from Oakland City University. Outside of school, Laura continues to choreograph for Encore Musicals in Owensboro and for some of her show choir and theatrical friends in Indiana. Laura was hired as director of choirs at Henderson County High School in 2023. She has enjoyed being a Colonel and looks forward to making more memorable musical moments with the talented students of HCHS. She resides in Newburgh, Indiana with her husband Josh and daughter Callie Rae.   

 Ms. Emma Mitchell grew up in Paducah, KY and graduated from McCracken County High School. She studied Fine Arts with an emphasis in Ceramics at Murray State University. While at Murray State, she deepened her love for drawing and found a new love for sculpture. Ms. Mitchell taught Special Education for three years before coming to Henderson County High School to teach art. She absolutely loves seeing her students grow and find their own appreciation for the arts.  

Mr. Drake Skipworth is a native of Greenville, KY, where he attended and graduated from Muhlenberg County High School in 2015. Mr. Skipworth has a rich history of performing whether it be singing, playing an instrument or acting. His experience and love for the arts started at a very young age with his church where he would sing, play trumpet or piano and act in theatrical productions. His experience expanded into high school where he played trumpet in the band program and he acted in productions such as “Sussical The Musical”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Anne of Green Gables” and “Grease”. After high school, Mr. Skipworth attended the University of Louisville for a few semesters before transferring to and graduating from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. While at Louisville, he sang with a men’s choir called The Singing Cardsmen and they toured around Kentucky and even did a performance here at HCHS. In 2018, he was invited to perform with the group in NYC at Carnegie Hall. While at Lee University, Mr. Skipworth traveled the country playing trumpet in the school’s traveling ensemble, Symphonic Band. They played at various venues throughout the Midwest, South and East Coast. He also got to travel to South Korea and Greece. While in Greece, the band performed for refugees seeking asylum and it was a very magical and moving experience. Mr. Skipworth believes that the arts have no boundaries. It can and will provide people opportunities to experience the world outside of their everyday lives and it can bring people from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures together. Mr. Skipworth is the assistant band director and is so excited to be investing in the arts here in Henderson.