Lynch embraces being whimsical before starting her day of teaching and fun. photo by Evelyn Jackson
Ms. Lynch does everything she can to ensure that her students are prepared for success in life beyond high school.
Part time Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher and part time work-based learning coordinator, Elizabeth Lynch has dedicated herself to Thomas Jefferson High School for the past 18 years.
Lynch’s standing commitment stems from her belief in the school’s ability to give students diverse opportunities. For nearly two decades, she has watched the programs evolve, students grow, and priorities shift. Despite this, her passion for helping students navigate life beyond high school has remained constant. Lynch’s work is rooted in ensuring students not only succeed academically, but also develop confidence, independence, and practical life skills, especially as her seniors approach graduation. She encourages students to pause, reflect, and self evaluation their options rather than rushing into commitments without careful thought.
As the school year nears its end, Lynch stresses the importance of reflection and evaluation. “We’re at the point in the year where evaluating options is imperative versus the commitment piece,” she states. Her experience as a teacher has taught her the value of pausing and reassessing. There is value in making intentional choices and decisions. Lynch heavily encourages her students to also prepare for the real world. Whether they are thinking about college, careers, or alternative paths, Lynch believes that students succeed the most when they take time to think about their options carefully.
One of her major goals this year is to encourage peer to peer constructive feedback. She believes learning from peers is a vital skill. “While it’s good to advocate to teachers, sometimes it doesn’t help you learn” Lynch explained. Learning to collaborate, communicate, and problem solve with peers prepares students for life in college and the workforce where teamwork and interpersonal skills are essential.
When asked about her faviorte part about working at TJ, Lynch points to the impact she has on the school’s community and the relationships she builds with students. “The goal is to make everyone more productive members of the community so everyone can feel confident in their life skills,” she stated. This ideology drives everything she does, from teaching AVID to coordinating work-based learning opportunities. Lynch takes pride in helping students discover their strengths, recognize their potential, and feel capable of navigating the world beyond high school.
Aside from teaching AVID, Lynch manages capstone projects and runs a work learning program. The second half of her day is spent focusing on teaching essential work skills to students who are preparing to enter the workforce. These lessons range from writing resumes and practicing professional work skills to understanding professional workplace expectations. “I want to make sure that when students leave wherever they go whether that’s right into the work force or college, they are fully prepared and ready,” Lynch stated. Her work ensures that students have access to paperwork, opportunities, and guidance necessary to succeed in the AVID program and beyond.
Outside of teaching, Lynch enjoys spending time with her plants and working on home renovation projects. For her, these projects are less about perfection and more about growth, creativity, and resilience. In many ways, this mindset mirrors her approach for teaching. Her love for hands-on projects reflects her beliefs that learning happens best when people are willing to try, adapt, and persevere despite challenges. She also enjoys baking, though she sheepishly admitted that, “I’m actually a horrible baker, and burn almost everything I put in the oven.”
Lynch remains a vital and influential member of the school’s learning and community. Her dedication, adaptability, and genuine care for student success continue to shape the community. By combining academic support with real-life preparation, she ensures students leave TJ not only ready for the next step academically, but confident in their ability to succeed in the real world.
