Staff Spotlight: Connections Matter for Be the One’s Lisa Reynolds

This post is part of the Lynden Schools Staff Spotlight series

For the hundreds of teenagers streaming through Lynden High School, Lisa Reynolds wants each to have quality connections with adults. That happens first through a caring family but can also be supported through additional trusted adults willing to support the student. As the Be the One community mentor coordinator at LHS, she’s continually in pursuit of making that happen.

The Role

The Be the One program pairs a community volunteer with a high school student so the two can meet weekly. Reynolds’ aim is to thoughtfully match mentor and student together so that a caring adult can listen, support and encourage the student while regularly showing up for the teen. 

Her role involves matching the volunteers with the students to develop authentic relationships, then working through any concerns that arise during the relationship, facilitating connections with other staff and resources when needed, coaching mentors in how to support students and provide ongoing training for the volunteers. This year, Reynolds is overseeing 75 mentoring relationships, the most ever for LHS, while working with other coordinators across the county to help everyone operate consistently. 

“I love watching the relationships develop and the impact it has on students,” Reynolds says. “Teens have so many social and emotional needs beyond their academics. Everyone needs a caring adult outside their family. It’s wonderful to provide such a vital anchor to those who really want and need it. I enjoy getting to know each student and watching them grow. I’m blessed by the many wonderful caring volunteers that give their time each week.” 

Getting to Know Lisa

Outside of her role, Reynolds has a bounty of interests, including reading, art, following sports, gardening, hiking, skiing and traveling. Spending time with her family—she has a husband, two adult sons, a married daughter, two grandchildren and a dog—is a true highlight. 

“As a career educator, I’m a lifelong learner who has worked in several different school districts,” Reynolds says, noting this is year 13 at LHS. “Lynden is truly a special place.”