The end of May didn’t just mark the close of another school year at ATEMS, it marked the end of an era for a teacher who helped shape the foundation of STEM education in Abilene ISD. After 27 years of dedicated service, Larry Haney officially retired, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, hands-on learning, and a career that spanned some of the district’s most transformative years.
Haney began his career in AISD in 1998 as a math teacher at Cooper High School. In 2009, he was selected as part of the inaugural team of educators to help launch the district’s new STEM-focused campus, then known as New Tech High School. The school first opened in a downtown building (now home to Condley and Co.) before relocating to the former TSTC campus and ultimately settling into its permanent home at The LIFT, the district’s state-of-the-art STEM facility made possible by the 2018 bond.
“It’s been exciting to see the school’s growth,” Haney reflected. “When I started, we were still downtown, and now we’re in a space with all the amenities…But it wasn’t about the facility then, and it still isn’t. It’s about the students, the teachers, and the administration.”
Around 2014, Haney transitioned into teaching engineering, a subject that allowed him to combine his technical background with his passion for education. Over the years, he became a guiding force for students exploring careers in innovative spaces like robotics, design, and engineering. Whether in a makeshift lab or a state-of-the-art facility, Haney was known for making the most of every opportunity to equip his students for success.
He credits much of his joy for teaching to the strong support he received from campus and district leaders throughout his career.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with great administrators my entire career,” he said. “They cared for the teachers because if they feel secure and cared for, they will take care of the students.”
For Haney, student growth has always been at the heart of the job. Watching students evolve from uncertain freshmen into confident graduates pursuing careers around the world became the most rewarding part of his career.
As the 2024-25 school year approached, Haney began to sense it was time to pass the torch. After years of full-time classroom teaching and taking on extra-duty assignments, he was ready to slow down and make space for new adventures.
Retirement won’t mean slowing down completely, though. Haney plans to spend time visiting family, connecting with loved ones, and returning to a lifelong hobby: working on cars. A former automotive mechanic, he’s especially excited to get to work restoring a long-idle truck that’s been sitting in his garage.
As he closes out this chapter, his impact on Abilene ISD and its students remain firmly written into the story of ATEMS. Thank you for 27 extraordinary years, Mr. Haney!