This year Lincoln’s English department welcomes Ms. Melissa Lynch. This is Ms. Lynch’s first year teaching ninth and tenth grade English here at Lincoln, but her sixth year teaching in total. She has not always taught English; she has also taught Social Science and Religious Studies at her previous job teaching in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose. “Once I received my credential,” Lynch adds, “I made the jump over to the public school system and I have not really looked back!”

She attended UC Santa Cruz for her BA degree and also double majored in Literature and Fine Art. She received two MA’s from Santa Clara University. The first is in Applied Theology, and the second is in Interdisciplinary Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. “I also received my credential,” Lynch informs, “from SCU’s education program.”

Although Lynch never had a moment in any class that led her to know she wanted to teach, the moments she has experienced of spreading her knowledge in the classroom has been a fulfilling experience in her life.She believes that just having the privilege to work with students is the best part of teaching.

“I also love writing/designing curriculum,” she said in an email to Lion Tales, “that is creative and engaging for students which often emphasizes specific literary interests or social justice concerns of mine, like children’s rights (poverty alleviation, access to education, neglect, abuse, etc).“

She tries to work with her students to create a safe and calm learning environment toward focusing on the students’ educational achievements. Academically, Lynch likes to compose old texts with contemporary social science to make texts relevant to her students’ every day life.

Lynch made the decision to work at Lincoln due to the fact that she likes the philosophy of the school and district. She adds that “it has been a wonderful to be in a place where I can both work and learn, collaborate and be creative, teach and enjoy professional friendships.  Mostly, of course, I chose Lincoln for the awesome student body, and I LOVE my students!  They are wonderful people!”

Lincoln’s staff added a local Bay Area girl, born at Good Samaritan Hospital and raised in Morgan Hill who loves to do animal rescue work and likes to write.

Lynch also added some word of advice for students and for those who would be interested in being an educator.

She would remind students that “there is really no such thing as perfection; the numbers/grades they work for everyday are not the same as their identity.  They are humans, and they are good.  And, of course, they should always do their best.” Also, for those of you that are interested in being an educator, “it is never too early to start taking notes from your favorite teachers. I think about how my favorite junior high and high school teachers nurtured and encouraged me everyday.  They are a constant source of inspiration and wisdom to me.”