For 14 years, Nacole Hayes has been more than an executive assistant at Clinton City Schools. She has been the calm in the storm, the bridge between families and administrators, and a trusted presence for students, staff, and the community. Walk into the central office, and there she is, quietly moving the district forward while making sure everyone feels seen and heard.
Hayes never sought the spotlight. She has long said that her most effective approach to work is staying calm and collected. “I never take sides, I always stay even keel. I never believed in cliques or anything. I always stayed neutral,” she explained. “I didn’t realize the impact I had until people came back and shared little things in cards or comments. I just thought I was doing my job, being myself, following what God has told me to do.”
Dr. Linda Brunson, chair of the Clinton City Schools Board of Education, called Hayes the heartbeat of the district. “It is very difficult to put into words how I feel about Mrs. Hayes and her contributions to Clinton City Schools. She has served as the executive assistant for the superintendent and the Board of Education for 11 years. I’ve been on the board since 2018 and have grown to love Mrs. Hayes both as a friend and as a professional. Her steady hand, kind heart, and even temper are attributes that she exhibited every day. I never saw her buckle under pressure. Everyone depended on Mrs. Hayes to do whatever she was tasked with and doing above and beyond expectations. She handled the most difficult situations with skill, grace, and kindness. She is very organized and has extraordinary attention to detail. She is adept at anticipating needs and was always one step ahead of the next situation, whether it was preparing the Board agenda, scheduling appointments, contacting schools, preparing documents, or planning celebrations for students and staff. Mrs. Hayes was always thinking ahead of us, sometimes before we even knew what was coming next. She is amazingly talented, a trusted colleague, and most of all, a friend to everyone.”
Superintendent Dr. Wesley Johnson added his voice to the chorus of admiration. “She is a constant professional. You are going to get professionalism, dedication, and unwavering support for our students, parents, staff, and community. I have never seen her frustrated. She was always able to maintain poise and dignity. She brought a calm, dignified presence to the office that helped all of us focus on serving the students.”
For Hayes, that sense of service is deeply ingrained. “I think I was wired to be in this position because I’ve always been in some form of customer service. Even as a high school student, I had a summer job at the school and was put in a situation where the principal left the office to see who would take initiative. I answered the phone, took the message correctly, and delivered it. That’s when I became the summer secretary. From that moment, I realized I loved helping people and taking care of details.”
Her dedication continued through Clinton High School and eventually the central office. She began at the high school in 2011 as an administrative assistant to Principal Ron Bain. By 2014, she was invited to take on the position of executive assistant to the superintendent and the board, a role she served under multiple superintendents and evolving boards.
“I had to adapt to different leaders’ visions and methods,” Hayes said. “It wasn’t that their goals were wrong; they just approached them differently. I had to learn how to work with each of them while maintaining who I am. That requires grace and patience. You have to meet people where they are, but you also have to stay true to yourself.”
Brunson noted Hayes’s ability to maintain balance and perspective. “She provided stability in times of transition. Mrs. Hayes gave us confidence that things were under control, no matter who was leading. She was steady, kind, and professional. That matters more than people realize.”
Johnson said Hayes’s gift for mediation was invaluable. “She could help parents, administrators, and staff understand each other’s perspectives. She reminded me to focus on the main thing: serving our kids. She always brought that calm, steady approach that kept us centered.”
Stories of Hayes’s quiet heroism are plentiful. She has helped students in small but meaningful ways, often without fanfare. One memorable instance involved a young woman stranded with car trouble. Hayes improvised a repair using office supplies to help her get back on the road safely. “I believe if it is in your power to help, you help,” she said. “That could have been me or my child. I just want to make a difference whenever I can.”
Now Hayes is embracing a new season of service. She has accepted a leadership role with Rose’s House of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Clinton that provides housing, counseling, and life skills for young women aging out of foster care. Hayes and her husband also founded Greater Works Community Outreach Ministry Inc., which awards scholarships and supports juniors and seniors who are in college and need financial help with housing.
“This is ministry,” Hayes said. “If I could do ministry full-time, I always said I would. God reminded me of that prayer. This is a step of faith, but I have peace and joy because it is a direct impact in the lives of young women who need hope. We are helping them gain independence, teaching budgeting, cooking, and other life skills. It is tangible support for a critical stage of life.”
Looking back on her 14 years with Clinton City Schools, Hayes said the people she met were the greatest highlight. “I met beautiful people — students, colleagues, families. Each person is God’s creation, and if you look at them through that lens, you appreciate the differences and the challenges each brings. There were times when families came in upset, and God gave me the grace to meet them where they were, to sit and listen, and help bridge the gap. That confirmed to me that I was in the right place at the right time.”
Johnson said Hayes’s impact will be long-lasting. “She helped me focus and reminded us all why we do this work. She has a legacy of service, grace, and professionalism that will remain in the district for years to come.”
Brunson summed it up with admiration and affection. “While we will miss her dearly, we know her new colleagues will quickly realize how blessed they are to have her. Mrs. Hayes, once a Dark Horse, always a Dark Horse.”