Mabel Hayes’ Biography
Mabel is a native of southern Illinois and graduate of SIU Carbondale. She has taught in many academic areas from early childhood to adult education. For ten years Mabel taught junior high and high school language arts and developmental reading. In 1991 she began teaching in the Adult Education program at John A. Logan College. “My favorite class ever was a group of middle–aged men who read below a third grade level. They taught me more about who and what are important in life than I ever taught them about reading.”
Even though her key role at the college is as a nonteaching professional, she continues to pursue her passion for teaching reading by teaching ENG 050 Developmental Reading and Writing and serving as a volunteer with the Read-a-Story Family Literacy program at the county jails and at the Marion Federal Penitentiary Work Camp. She enjoys cooking, reading, country-living and writing children’s picture books. During her years as a literacy director, she recognized the importance of adults and children reading together. She encourages this activity by adding to the collection of good children’s literature that helps both parents and children appreciate the magic of reading together. Daddy, Ill Bake You a Chocolate Cake was published in 2006 and Would Grandma Still Love Me? is soon to be published. In support of literacy and healthy family relationships, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her books supports programs sponsored by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
Mabel and her husband Curtis have two sons – Jerod (goat farmer and recreation therapist) and Jeremy (urban planner) and daughter–in–law Katie, and two grandsons – 6–year–old Owen the erudite and 2 year–old Mitchell the mischievous.
