Hayward Renel Jean is the Director of Student Services in Orangeburg County School District serving over 11,000 students. Hayward is the former principal of Mellichamp Elementary School in Orangeburg, SC. At Mellichamp Elementary, Jean and his dynamic team of professionals were known for making history together. Together they were one of eight South Carolina schools in 2013 to go from an "F" rating to an "A" rating in one year, and in 2014, they were the recipient of the school's first-ever Palmetto Silver Award winner for academic performance. Each year the school consistently makes adequate yearly progress towards the state's goal of the profile of the South Carolina graduate. In the 2019-2020 school year, Mellichamp was one of two schools in the country to be awarded the National Institute of Excellence in Teaching’s (NIET) School of Promise award.

Recently, Jean authored a book entitled, Weapons of Mass Distraction: Dismantling the Negative Influence of Hip Hop Music on Our Youth. The book empowers the youth and those who care about them to fulfill their purpose without being defined by the destructive suggestions of the culture.

During his teaching career, Hayward was awarded Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year Finalist, in addition to receiving The South Carolina State Conference NAACP Presidential Citation Award for Education Advocacy.

Nationally, Jean serves on the Steering Committee for the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) which serves schools throughout the country. As principal, the Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP named Hayward as the Presidential Citation for Educator of the Year in 2016. In 2017, Hayward was a guest on the internationally syndicated television program, "The 700 Club," where he discussed growing up without his father to now being like a father to students who call him "Dad." The "I'M" possible Scholarship Fund named Hayward as the Living the Legacy Award inaugural recipient for his efforts to impact youth. National education expert, Salome Thomas-EL, writes of Hayward in his award-winning book entitled, "The Immortality of Influence," with a foreword written by actor Will Smith.

As an inaugural member for Call Me MiSTER®, Hayward speaks nationally about the program and provides professional development for pre-service teachers, teacher practitioners, administrators, and higher education faculty. Hayward was honored as Claflin University's first Young Alumnus Visionary Award recipient in the University's Hall of Fame. In 2018, the Orangeburg Chapter of The Links Incorporated honored Hayward as "Father of the Year" for his community service. On August 10, 2019, Hayward was honored as the South Carolina Male Achievement Conference "Fatherhood/Man of the Year." In March 2020, Jean was awarded as one of Claflin University’s 40 under 40 recipients that are doing amazing things that are impacting the lives of others.

As a community leader, Hayward is a member of the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory council and a Rotary Member. As a motivational speaker, Hayward is the founder of Speak Life Enterprises, a national speaking organization that empowers educators, students, and communities. In January 2021, the Orangeburg County Community of Character recognized Hayward as the Character Trait Honoree of Enthusiasm. On September 23, the city of Orangeburg recognized Hayward by declaring the day “Speak Life Day!”