Mildred Lynch

Re “Trustee Mildred Lynch, 81, Is Proud to Be From the Old School,” July 27.

It was with great affection and fond memories that I read your profile of Conejo Valley School Board member Mildred Lynch. I had the privilege of being one of Mrs. Lynch’s students in her honors English classes at La Reina High School from 1981-83. She is the finest teacher I had through elementary, high school, college and graduate school.

Mrs. Lynch never underestimated (or overestimated) the potential of each of her students. An individual’s talents and weaknesses were fairly and accurately assessed. When I performed well, I was rewarded with praise. When I needed to improve, I was given clear direction how to do so. Several of us from the Class of ’83 partially credit Mrs. Lynch with our subsequent success in college. She taught us to think critically without thinking cynically.

I teach communication at Loyola Marymount University. It is more common than should be acceptable that I teach students graduated in the top 10% of their high school class (including students from the Conejo Valley) who cannot write a college-level essay. I doubt that was the case with any of the young women with whom I graduated from La Reina. Mrs. Lynch demanded that we hone a cogent argument and communicate that argument in clear and precise prose. If you want to improve the English curriculum at any school in the Conejo Valley, start with Mrs. Lynch.

As a teacher, I strive to be as wise and demanding as Mrs. Lynch. I would consider myself successful if, years after leaving my class, my students thought and said what 10 of her former students said at a dinner reunion last year: “Thank God for Mrs. Lynch!”

The best gift that could be given to America’s students would be to have each encounter a teacher as gifted, committed and caring as Mildred Lynch.

DEIRDRE “DEDE” WOOD

Westlake Village