It’s not often that one teacher can impact an entire school, but for many students and staff, former HHS Science teacher Mr. Kalik May did exactly that. Known for his energy, support, and ability to connect with anyone, he has left a noticeable gap in both the classroom and on the field.
“One moment that stands out is when I was struggling during the season and not playing my best,” said Senior Santiago Storey, “Mr. May pulled me aside and talked me through what I was going through, on and off the field. That conversation helped me regain confidence.”
That kind of support is what many students say made Mr. May a teacher and coach to remember.
“He always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself,” Story said. “Whether it was advice, pushing me to work harder, or just checking in, he made sure I knew I had someone in my corner.”
Even after leaving, May continues to reflect on the connections he built with students.
“The love and appreciation I’ve received from students, coworkers, and bosses made me realize the impact you can make,” May said. “As an educator, sometimes that feeling is all you need to keep going when things don’t seem to be going your way.”
He is now teaching elementary physical education in Alabama, working with younger students in a very different environment.
“We can still talk and have real conversations,” May said, “but it’s different from high school. Elementary students just want to yell ‘6-7!’ all day.”
Although he has started a new chapter, May still values the relationships he built at HHS.
“I got a chance to FaceTime the seniors on the softball team on senior night to wish them good luck,” May said. “I’ve also stayed in contact with Coach Jordan to keep up with baseball. I can’t wait to see what they do this year.”
Teachers who worked alongside him say his presence made a lasting difference.
“Coaching with Mr. May, I got to see how knowledgeable and passionate he was about baseball,” Ms. Olivia Jordan said. “He pushed players and coaches to take the game more seriously and approach everything with intensity.”
While Mr. May may not fully realize his impact, those around him say it’s clear.
“Mr. May was able to make a connection with anyone,” Jordan said. “He made an effort to remember what people said and help however he could. Students will really miss his realness and advice.”
For many students, that connection is what mattered most, and what they’ve held onto since he left.
“I will miss how he connected with me as a person and not just a player,” Storey expressed. “He was always someone I could talk to about anything.”
