Meet Mrs. Lynn Thomas - Reaching Coach and New Teacher Mentor at North Elementary School
January 27-31 was a Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida. Schools across the state were challenged to organize fun and engaging activities throughout the week to support literacy and the love for reading. Our days at North Elementary School were packed with various reading activities - all thanks to Mrs. Lynn Thomas, our Reading Coach. The week culminated in a well organized buddy reading activity on Friday when all students across campus read to someone, or with someone. Mrs. Thomas reflected on the day and said that she tried to make her way into each and every classroom during our buddy-read. Hearing all the voices from kindergarten to 5th grade read to one another, "it was just beautiful", she said. She said that our 5th grade students were so kind to the little ones, and "that just warmed my heart".
Promoting literacy and is just one way that Mrs. Thomas contributes to North Elementary School, and she has had many successful years molding students and teachers at all levels. This year marks Mrs. Thomas' 37th year of being an educator - 35 of which she has spent either in a classroom or coaching those who are in a classroom. Contrary to many who have always known that they wanted to be a teacher, Mrs. Thomas did not quite think that she would be a teacher one day. She loved numbers, and even thought about being an accountant. It was not until her high school counselor spoke to her and said: "You are a teacher". This gave Mrs. Thomas something to ponder about. Being a neighborhood babysitter, she already had a soft spot for kids. Then, visiting an elementary school classroom and sitting in a chair that was (according to Mrs. Thomas) four inches above the floor, she instantly knew that this was it! She had found her calling which she does not regret. Mrs. Thomas also talked about her great aunt who was a teacher. She still has her great aunt's initial teaching contract from the one-room schoolhouse years ago which reads that she was not to mingle outside the church, not to marry, and among many other things, she was to get her own switch for students' discipline. While education and requirements for teachers have changed quite a bit, Mrs. Thomas said that she would love to have an opportunity to sit and talk to her great aunt for an hour. "I bet our stories about students would not be much different", she said.
When in classroom, Mrs. Thomas taught first and second grade. She talked about this as hard and important work. "It is not a play", she said. "This is the place and time where differences happen", and she stated that "You have to be in the trenches when trying to reach students". Teachers are the individuals in our society who do just that by being in direct contact with students during their crucial, developmental years.
Even though 35 years in an educational system is a long time, Mrs. Thomas said that she keeps on coming back because of the ties that she has developed to our community, and the commitment that she has made to help students. She spoke highly about her colleagues and administrators whom she has had opportunities to work with throughout the years. Mrs. Thomas said that she has had the privilege to work with professionals who were once in her own 1st and 2nd grade classrooms. She said that it is not only a privilege to watch them grow and bloom in many different ways, it is also a privilege to work with them in this capacity and learn from them each and every day.
As a reading coach, Mrs. Thomas works mainly with adults, but she cannot stay away from the classrooms. She has set up small group lessons with students who need additional assistance, and she goes into classrooms to assist teachers as well. When asked what does she enjoy most - working with students or with adults, Mrs. Thomas said that "Adults are just like kids, just in bigger bodies". Working with them in the coaching capacity is really more about working together and helping to keep focused. Focused, well planned teaching is hard work as teachers have to wear so many different hats. Setting high expectations can be even more difficult, especially when we encounter students who come to us with major struggles and various needs that have nothing to do with education. Mrs. Thomas talked about the importance of not allowing those struggles become excuses, and get on the way of setting the bar high. She said that "I have found that students rise to the challenge and I am rarely disappointed".
Team work among adults on campus is essential, as we are here for the kids, but we can also be here to support one another. "Sometimes we might just need that reminder from one another for why we are here, and what we do is truly in the best interest of our students", Mrs. Thomas said.
Reflecting on teacher- student relationships, Mrs. Thomas said that having the opportunity to get close to the kids also presents itself in fun ways outside of school. She giggled when she talked about students often yelling to her across the aisle in Walmart: "Mrs. Thomas, I have seven AR (Accelerated Reader) points!".
Mrs.Thomas also spoke about the challenges of being an educator, and the sacrifices that educators often make to do the best for someone else's child and their family. She remembers the days where she got carried away making sure that each and every child in her class would have Valentines Day cards and treats, only to come home and remember that her own children did not have any for their class. She said that "I know this is true for all of my teacher friends with families and children". Mrs. Thomas said that she would like to thank all the educator's families, especially their children, for making this sacrifice and sharing their moms and dads with other students.
In her spare time, Mrs. Thomas enjoys things that bring peace and tranquility. In her world, there are two things that do just that: the beach, and reading. Mrs.Thomas loves historical fiction, and she has been recently fascinated by stories in the Old England theme.
North Elementary School is grateful for having Mrs. Thomas among our ranks as a teacher, coach, and a mentor!
Dr. Tuuli Robinson,
Educator and Lifelong Learner
