Spotlight on: Lynnsey Buckley
February 2025 High School Teacher of the Month
The Student Council decides monthly student and teacher awards with a specific category each month. The category for February 2025 was winter athlete for students and winter coach for teachers.
The Senior Student of the Month awards go to two seniors per month who are nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-11.
The High School Teacher of the Month award goes to one teacher per month who is nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-12. All Teachers of the Month become eligible to become Teacher of the Year in June.
The February 2025 Senior Students of the Month were Madison Marusic and Zack Petucci, and the February 2025 High School Teacher of the Month was Lynnsey Buckley.
Q. What is your name, subject area and grade level you teach?
A. Lynnsey Buckley, English, grade 10.
Q. What inspired you to become a teacher, and how does your teaching style reflect your philosophy?
A. My inspiration to become a teacher stemmed from my own love of learning and the transformative power it has on individuals. Growing up, I was always excited about reading and exploring new ideas, and I knew I wanted to help others develop the same passion for discovery. As a teacher, I want to create an environment where students feel empowered to ask questions, think critically and engage with content in a way that is unique to them. My teaching style reflects this through hands-on learning, incorporating diverse perspectives and creating opportunities for students to learn about topics that spark their curiosity, giving them autonomy in their learning. I aim to make learning not only accessible, but engaging, so that students can apply what they learn to all aspects of their lives.
Q. How do you foster positive relationships with your students both in the classroom and on the court?
A. I try my best to give students choice and autonomy in their learning, which helps them feel in control, and therefore builds a mutual respect between us. I also have found it beneficial to be involved in extracurricular activities, such as coaching volleyball and advising the junior class and newspaper club. Having opportunities outside of the classroom to engage with students allows for a more authentic and well-rounded connection with students. As a coach, I try to focus a lot on creating a sense of community and connection on and off the court by implementing team-building drills during practices and encouraging players to inspire each other off the court.
Q. What motivated you to become a coach for your winter sport, and how long have you been coaching?
A. This is my second year coaching, but I knew from the moment I started teaching that I wanted to coach as well. Volleyball was my favorite sport in high school, and I continued playing throughout college and still continue to play during most of the year. My passion for the sport is something I’ve always wanted to share with my students and players. My goal is to build a strong, competitive and supportive volleyball program here at Herkimer!
Q. How do you balance your responsibilities as a teacher and a coach during the busy winter season?
A. Balancing teaching, coaching and personal commitments during the winter season can be challenging – especially with Upstate New York’s unpredictable weather! I stay organized by setting clear priorities, establishing specific goals and using a planner to manage my schedule. Most importantly, I remind myself to be flexible and give myself grace when things get overwhelming.
Q. Can you share a memorable experience where you had a positive impact on a student, either academically or athletically?
A. Last year, I had a student-athlete who was struggling with their mental health. By the end of the season, things had started to improve, and they wrote me a heartfelt letter expressing how volleyball became a source of motivation for them. They shared that, specifically, my support, understanding and empathy helped them push through difficult days. That experience reinforced for me just how much of an impact sports and a supportive coach can have on a student’s well-being.
Q. What core values do you emphasize to your team, and how do you instill those values during practices and competitions?
A. I emphasize the importance of teamwork, dedication and resilience. I try to instill these values by focusing on communication during practices, setting collective and realistic goals for the team and fostering a growth mindset. We celebrate both individual and team achievements, and I encourage players to support each other, even when things aren’t going perfectly. During games, I remind the athletes that how we play together is just as important as the outcome.
Q. How has coaching a winter sport influenced your approach to teaching and vice versa?
A. Coaching has strengthened my patience and given me a deeper understanding of how to motivate different types of learners. Working with a team has allowed me to apply the same values I emphasize in the classroom – such as perseverance and collaboration – on the court. Likewise, teaching has made me more intentional in how I communicate with athletes, whether it’s breaking down skills, encouraging critical thinking or helping them make smart, strategic choices under pressure.
Q. In what ways do you incorporate community service or outreach into your coaching and teaching roles?
A. As a teacher, coach and advisor, I emphasize the importance of giving back and fostering a strong sense of community. I encourage my students to participate in school events, fundraisers and local service projects. Rebuilding the school newspaper, for example, has given students valuable opportunities to connect with the community by interviewing local members and promoting initiatives like blood drives, food drives and winter clothing donations. My goal is to instill a sense of responsibility and pride in making a positive impact beyond the classroom and the court.
Q. What are your goals for the remainder of the school year as both a teacher and a coach, and how do you plan to achieve them?
A. My primary goals are to continue fostering a love of learning in my students and to help my volleyball team build on their strengths. I want my students to leave my class feeling more confident in their writing, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and I want my athletes to keep improving both individually and as a team. To achieve these goals, I plan to continue focusing on creating engaging lessons, maintaining open, honest and authentic communication with all students, and offering my players opportunities to practice and bond during the off-season. Beyond academics and athletics, I also strive to support my students’ personal growth, helping them develop the confidence and resilience they need to succeed in all areas of life.