Def Leppard.
North Dakota.
Jessica Alba.
With just three things anyone in Albert Lea already knows who we’re talking about. 2026 impact teacher, Jim Haney. He has taught for over 30 years in just our building, but before that he did his student teaching at Grand Fork Central High School in 1985 and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and master’s degree in History in 1986.
Haney has always taught social studies and has a passion for it, but he especially likes teaching about social history. He enjoys telling the stories of people and their cultures. Teaching about fashion, movies or television from what people in the past but Haney believes it’s these parts of history that impacts kids most.
His first job was teaching social studies to ninth and tenth graders in Jamestown, North Dakota, for a couple of years before he taught in Pingree Buchanan, a small farming community in North Dakota. In Pingree, he was the entire Social Studies department of the school. He also advised theater, coached basketball and speech.
“It’s a very fulfilling, rewarding occupation,” said Haney.
Advising and coaching many school activities isn’t new to Haney after moving to Albert Lea he started with teaching Enriched Social Nine, which was a mix of many classes like history, government, civics and more. Then a couple years later he started teaching World History. And after that he taught Humanities Social and then finally took on Government which is what he continues to teach today.
In Haney’s class they do many projects such as the Freeborn County Historical Museum project and C-Span project. With everything Haney does and teaches in his class he hopes that his students will take an appreciation of history through hands-on engagement.
“I’ve had marvelous students that have always been willing to give the effort, energy and time to make my projects worthwhile for them, worthwhile for the community and worthwhile for me,” Haney said.
Everyday as a teacher is different. One of Haney’s favorite aspects of being a teacher is seeing the light bulb go off in his student’s head, and being able to see them finally understand.
“It’s important for me to tell the story so they have an idea of what came before them,” Haney said.
At ALHS, he has coached football and basketball of different grades over the years. Haney himself ran cross country in high school so he started as an assistant coach. He became the head coach with Margo Wayne which he continued to do until he retired this year.
“I hope I made Albert Lea High School a better place,” said Haney, “I just hope I helped.”
Haney will be leaving multiple traditions at the school that continue strong today including the mock trial program. In 2002, The Kuphal family and Haney started the Wall of Inspiration. With the help of Max Jeffrey, they were able to officially name the high school Gym floor after Orrie Jirele. Jirele was a longtime counselor at the school and also a basketball coach for 14 years which is why they decided to name the gym floor in honor of him.
In 2018 Haney and Jasmine Hanson started the Orrie Jirele Scholarship. They have been able to raise money to give away three to four scholarships every year.
“He was magical,” said Haney. “He cared about everybody. He was this force of nature that made you feel better by just knowing [him].”
Even after he retired, Jirele continued to show up for students and staff. He was one of those people who had a significant impact on not only Haney’s life but also many others. In addition to Jirele, Haney has been greatly impacted by Henry Guse and Kurt Barickman were both colleagues that believed in Haney and gave him a chance to be the teacher he is today along with Orrie Jirele.
“Mr. Henry Goozy, he was phenomenal.” Haney said, “he gave me a chance and believed in me.”
There have been a lot of people that have impacted Haney’s life and career as a teacher. He started teaching for his passion of history but he also grew up living the teacher life. Teaching runs in his blood. Both his parents, his brother and now his daughter are teachers.
“They’re all exceptional people, and they do exceptional jobs,” said Haney. “They’ve all been inspirational.”
Haney originally moved to Albert Lea in 1989 because his wife, Lisa Haney, was teaching here at the time. They met during Haney’s summer years during college when he worked at Elks Camp Grasick in Dawson, North Dakota. Haney and his wife both worked as counselors for the children, so even though they were both teachers they met at summer camp.
“We had a long distance romance and I finally decided it was time for me to move from North Dakota and come down here,” Haney said.
Haney has his own people who’ve impacted him but he has definitely left his own legacy on Albert Lea High School as well.
“He’s such an amazing teacher, [and] such an amazing person,” said Calleigh Noble (12). “He does so much for people that I don’t even think he knows his impact on everyone and the entire school.”
He helps students in the classroom by inspiring their love for history and giving them opportunities outside of class too.
“Mr. Haney, he really pushed me to be like a better student, to get involved in things,” said Noble. “He saw something in me that I never saw. He got me involved with the board, and I’ve had so much fun doing it.”
Haney brings light to the day of everyone he sees and that can be seen in how he teaches his students by keeping the classroom environment positive.
“He keeps class fun, but still serious enough for us to learn,” said Jacobi Woyen (12). “He’s the best teacher I’ve ever had at the whole high school.”
His impact isn’t only limited to the classroom. Haney is a notable figure in sports as well because he has been one of the head coaches for our cross country team for 25 years.
“He’s always a positive person encouraging every runner,” said cross country runner Noah McGaffey (12). “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be in cross country or any sports.”
Haney is known for his outgoing and humorous personality. He encourages everyone to become better people, athletes and students. He gives his students a chance and believes in everyone no matter what.
This isn’t Haney’s first year winning Impact Teacher but it will be his last. His legacy will be felt for many years as he has left an impact on thousands of students and staff over the years at ALHS.
