Why I Teach

I find it challenging to put into words the passion I have for teaching. To understand why, let me share a bit about my background.

I grew up in a middle-class, suburban Jewish family as a twin, with no outward presenting issues – except for my slightly awkwardly large ears. I was the middle child, and my twin brother had special needs which I instinctively began accommodating. From a young age, it was clear that he required more attention and support, largely because he was often bullied at school. As his protector, I took on the role of standing up to bullies and being the humorous, loud one in class to divert attention from my brother's differences. Back then, I didn't fully grasp why I was doing this – people thought or called me an attention seeker. 

My parents often told me a story about my infancy, describing how they would prop me up with a bottle on a stack of books so that I could feed myself. This was because my brother always needed to be held. This early dynamic in my family—along with my older sister who was labeled "perfect Lynn" for her achievements—created a unique space for me as the middle child. My sister excelled in academics, had a flawless smile, played the French horn, attended Hebrew School, and always followed the path of perfection.

It was during this time that I discovered my knack for flexibility as the middle child. I may have been only five minutes older than my twin, but it was enough to establish me as the middle child. Roles within the family were clearly defined. Lynn was the flawless child, my younger brother Todd had special needs but was exceptionally gifted academically, and I was the middle child who found solace in singing.

This personal journey has profoundly shaped my passion for teaching, and it's what motivates me to make a difference in the lives of my students today.

Won’t you join my journey?