Teachers play an important role in our society as they impact the future generations of leaders and citizens. Lynne Collenback is an educator and she says that watching her students grow and learn makes it a very rewarding career.
“I love the kids and I love seeing them grow up,” she said. “I get them as little freshmen, and I get to see them mature into young adults. It’s fun to see them when they come back to visit–sometimes I don’t even recognize them.”
Lynne teaches English Pre-AP and AP Seminar and is also the head tennis coach at Ponca City High School. She is in her fifth year at Ponca City, but she has also taught at Clear Springs High School in League City, Texas; Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas; Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas.
Throughout her years of teaching, Collenback has been given numerous pieces of advice. While she appreciates all the tips, there is one that has stuck with her to this day.
“Sometimes you’ve gotta be just as flexible because not all kiddos have good homes and get to sleep under a roof,” she said. “Meet them where they’re at sometimes and give grace where grace is needed.”
Lynne works hard to be the best teacher that she can be. She wants to be a teacher that her students look back on and appreciate, which is not something that she had as a student.
“I had some very bad teachers growing up. I want to be an example of a good one,” she said. “Honestly, the teachers that have had the biggest influence on me are the teachers that I’ve met since becoming an educator.”
Collenback is married to her husband Ryan, who works at P66.
“When I am not in the classroom, I really enjoy working out and spending time with my husband.”
