Lyndee McKay of Hillcrest High School

Lyndee McKay was nominated by friend and colleague Megan Brandley, who says:

“Mrs. McKay is the kind of teacher who strives to build up her students, create a more compassionate future generation, and is not afraid to have tough conversations to help students understand the world around them. As an English teacher at Hillcrest, Mrs. McKay uses her curriculum to create a rich dialogue among her students. They are engaged in the learning, and are able to discuss the content in great depth. She takes classics in our literary world such as The Great Gatsby or The Crucible, and she turns them into lessons that engage and inspire students to be the best they can be, to learn from other’s mistakes, and to create something better for the future.

Her students adore her, they are quick to respond to her way of teaching, and past students are constantly visiting and speaking with her about their challenges and progress in life. Students feel comfortable and accepted in Mrs. McKay’s classroom. She promotes an environment that is safe and inviting. One of her key teaching philosophies is a refusal to remain silent, she encourages her students, particularly her journalism students to think about difficult issues, to become educated, to speak out against what they feel is wrong, and to address the many shortcomings in our society today. While some teachers stray away from these difficult topics, Mrs. Mckay embraces them and sees the value in having difficult conversations with her students, and allowing her students to express themselves. She feels a responsibility to help promote responsible journalism, responsible and respectful speech, and responsible and informed citizens.

Finally, Mrs. McKay loves her students. She has a great passion for teacher. Her drive for education has pushed her to get her Master’s Degree and work extremely hard for her students. It is not uncommon for her to be at school until 6-7 at night planning, grading, and supporting her students. She makes each student feel unique, important, and gives them a voice. The world needs more dedicated educators like Lyndee McKay.”