Mother, veteran finds home on campus
Student of the Week: Terry Lynn
Terry Lynn was a Marine Corps Officer before enrolling at South Texas College to continue her education and pursue a teaching degree.
“I think I can be a really good teacher because I was an NCO, I had 13 Marines under me,” Lynn said. “Since I taught them and I led them I think I’d be really good in the classroom.”
She said guiding others in the service should set her up perfectly for a career in education.
“Military education and civilian education are kind of similar,” She said. “When I was in the military I had to learn the material pretty quickly and then teach it.”
She admits the unprecedented changes due to COVID-19 have been a challenge to adapt to.
“It’s kind of the same thing, I would be taking a curriculum and teaching it,” she said. “The difference now is I can soak in the information to learn it more. The [shelter-at-home] changed the aspect of me soaking in what I’m learning.”
Her career route was shaped partially by her experience but also with her the future in mind.
“Originally I wanted to go the state trooper route but it’s not ideal scheduling for my daughter who is only two right now and the reason I wanted to be a teacher,” Lynn said. “Eventually one day I’ll be in the same school she goes to. Not only that but it would give me a schedule that would relate with her. It’s something I’d love to do and it’s also something that would help me have more time with my daughter. It would give her a regular schedule which is something she deserves.”
"My daughter who is only two right now is the reason I wanted to be a teacher,” Lynn said. “Eventually one day I’ll be in the same school she goes to. Not only that but it would give me a schedule that would relate with her. It’s something I’d love to do and it’s also something that would help me have more time with my daughter. It would give her a regular schedule which is something she deserves.”
She wants to teach students who are about to step into adult life, her specialty.
“I want to teach high school because a majority of the Marines get them as teenagers, like 17-18,” Lynn said. “I think I could give them guidance which everyone needs at that age.”
What’s made her transition into civilian education enjoyable is her connection with fellow veterans at STC. She pointed to the connection at the Office of Veterans Affairs and the Foxhole for chatting with peers with similar paths to college.
Her message to other single mothers that might find it difficult to get into higher education was to believe it’s possible and find ways to make it happen.
“I would say that your capability to finish school may seem bleak at certain stages because you have a lot on your plate with your class load and parenting,” She said. “No matter what there’s always a middle ground you just have to find it. It may seem unattainable but it is. It may seem like you don’t have help but you do.”