Scorpion Spotlight: Mary Lynn, Grade 5 Teacher

Grade 5 teacher Mary Lynn poses for a photo with her dogs, Kennan and Liberty, at Rio Del Mar Beach in Aptos, California.

Sage Ridge School is opening a second Grade 5 class for the 2021-2022 academic year to meet growing application numbers.

Mary Lynn recently joined the SRS faculty to teach the new class. Offering 33 years of experience teaching grades 1 through 6, she previously worked at Brookfield School in Reno and for the Washoe County School District.

"This is an amazing opportunity for Sage Ridge and our community," Director of Enrollment Management Sydney Peters said. "Mary Lynn will be a great asset to us and will help us meet the increasing demand we are seeing in the Lower School. Welcome Mary Lynn — we are so excited to have you!"

Ms. Lynn earned a master's degree in education from the WCSD Equivalency Program and a bachelor's degree in psychology and fine arts from the University of California, Irvine. In order to qualify for the WCSD Master’s Equivalency Program, a teacher must earn 42 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. She also holds a K-8 teaching certification.

Get to know more about Ms. Lynn.

When did you start working in education?

1988

What do you like about teaching fifth graders?

I enjoy teaching fifth graders because they are ready to dissect and discuss literary and nonfiction text, they are growing as writers and mathematicians, and they are developing a keen sense of humor.

What advice do you have for students?

Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Keep trying.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams. I love this book because it has many life lessons — becoming oneself, developing positive human relationships and coping with a dynamic and changing world.

Bio 

I’ve lived in Reno for 31 years and grew up in Newport Beach, California. My hobbies are pilates, yoga, cycling, gardening and walking with my two golden retrievers, Kennan and Liberty. I have a passion for American history and am continually reading and listening to podcasts. I attended a NASA teacher training at Edwards Air Force Base/Dryden Flight Research Center in July 2002. This created a love of aerospace and aviation history, which I taught for many years to my third graders.