From English teacher to professional rugby athlete, Lynch has experience in all walks of life. photo by the Queen’s City Rams Photographer
A synopsis of Herbert Wayne Lynch II, one of TJ’s most virtuous teacher who is beloved by the community at large.
While many attributes constitute a remarkable teacher, there is something special to be said about instructors who teach their students not just the curriculum, but about life as well. English teacher Herbert Wayne Lynch II excels within his education role, while also connecting with students on a personal level. Lynch provides a safe space for individuals, and much of this is a result of his own personal background.
Growing up, Lynch looked up to his father, who modeled living life with a proper work ethic and helping those around him. These traits carried over to Lynch, as he has always incorporated the values of living a humble life while giving back to others, and providing assistance to those who are in need. After attending a small yet very academically rigorous high school, Lynch stated that he barely graduated. While this school was rigid in their rules and provided challenging, college level classes, Lynch did not enjoy academics and fell into the category of a “class clown,” constantly testing the teachers.
Following his time in high school, Lynch almost decided not to attend college. However, he ended up at University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colorado. During this time period, Lynch changed up his personal academic patterns, earning straight A’s his freshman and sophmore year. Lynch believed that college allowed him to find his own morals through the “independence and freedom of [his] own path.” With the ability to learn valuable lessons from professors all over the world, Lynch began to collect beliefs personal to his experience that would shape his future life path.
The professors Lynch recalls most fondly taught philosophy. These individuals relayed important life lessons, influencing how Lynch continues to walk through life today. In addition to academics, Lynch was also an athlete on UNC’s Men’s Rugby team. His contributions played a crucial role in the school’s victory in the 2001 Rugby Finals. Later in life, Lynch continued his rugby career, playing professional rugby for the Queens City Rams. As if college life was not busy enough, Lynch spent his free time balancing a part time job and studying to maintain superb grades. For the sake of testing out all viable options, Lynch applied to Colorado University (CU) in Boulder, Colorado. Despite being accepted, he decided to stay at UNC because of the community he had built.
After college, Lynch decided that he wanted an opportunity to have a positive impact on the younger generation, acting as a role model for kids in need. He found himself at a youth correctional facility called Ridge View Academy, working from six in the morning to anywhere between ten and twelve at night. Lynch stated that, within his role as correctional facilities staff, he had the “most honest and real conversations.” During these discussions, Lynch was able to acknowledge the teenagers’ apathy towards school, so he worked to instill a new belief that prioritizing academics is the best way to success. One aspect that set Lynch apart from other staff members was from his own judgment-free lens. Despite varying reasons for the kids’ presence in the correctional facility, Lynch believed that everybody, no matter their background, has potential. Sometimes, kids just need someone to believe in them, and Lynch was that adult for many.
Lynch’s skill of looking past appearance is a prominent aspect of his morals, contributing to the vast success he later found as a high school teacher. Following his contributions to the youth correctional facility, Lynch stated, “Sometimes I think teaching chose me.” Teaching allowed Lynch to have his own voice while working with kids, something he was looking for in his next job. He interviewed to work at TJ, and got the job as an educator in the Affective nNeeds (AN) Center Program. This is a location within the high school that provides character education; this is a place for students with a normal IQ that have issues regulating their emotions be able to understand and manage their anger. Through this work, Lynch believed he could catch students’ challenges and issues on the front end, providing support before they make decisions that could hurt their future. While working in this role, Lynch also began his participation as a Thomas Jefferson Boys’ Basketball coach, spending the majority of his time building foundations for C Team players. Lynch also won Mile High Teacher of the year, a large accomplishment for teachers in the Denver Metro area.
Lynch took a quick hiatus from TJ upon meeting AVID teacher and sustainability champion Elizabeth Lynch. Describing her as fiery and exciting, the two started dating. However, both of their strong senses of individuality and morals led them to often fight about school. Unwilling to lose this relationship, Lynch decided to leave TJ in search of becoming an English teacher elsewhere. Although serving the AN population was a worthwhile experience, Lynch saw himself more in an academic context, teaching students about life and literature combined. Choosing both Elizabeth Lynch and English over TJ, Lynch ended up at Summit Academy, one of seven pathway schools in Colorado. Pathway schools aim to give struggling students the potential to succeed through tasks like credit recovery. Here, Lynch’s goal was to instill a strong work ethic in the student body, and allow these students to believe and have faith in themselves. After a few years at Summit Academy, Lynch returned to the TJ community as an English teacher, now married to Elizabeth Lynch. In this position, he has taught multiple levels of English ranging from English 1 to English 3.
Lynch also has two fantastic children who he chooses to spend his free time around. If Lynch is not in Room 216, he can be found living the dad life at parks, libraries, and sporting events, or outdoors hiking, camping, and playing. As an English teacher, he also enjoys reading. His favorite books are titled Blood Meridian and Infinite Jest, two novels he describes as “boy books.”
Throughout his life and all of the various roles he has possessed, Lynch has put commendable efforts and energy into helping kids succeed. He has taught students that academics are crucial and equally important to the relationships individuals possess with one another. One message that he wishes to leave with students stems from the David Foster Wallace poem that reads, “ When they were introduced, he made a witticism, hoping to be liked. She laughed very hard, hoping to be liked. Then each drove home alone, staring straight ahead, with the very same twist to their faces. The man who’d introduced them didn’t much like either of them, though he acted as if he did, anxious as he was to preserve good relations at all times. One never knew, after all, now did one now did one now did one.” To summarize, this quote is about how people try to connect with others, but their efforts can feel shallow or empty as they often act out of insecurity, trying to fit in or be liked.
Lynch demonstrates a unique, real connection between students and teachers. He works to be inclusive, holding no judgment against students’ backgrounds, aiming to meet kids where they are. Lynch embodies the idiom of “do not judge a book by its cover.” Feeling isolated and under supported in school can be hard, as can finding a trusted adult. However, Lynch keeps his door open to all students, treating each with respect upon entering his room. Herbert Wayne Lynch is exactly the educator schools need; he cares about his students well-being. Under his teaching, students gain knowledge about how to walk through life. Spartans could all learn a thing or two from Lynch, and he should know how much of a positive impact he makes on students’ lives.
