Reichman enjoys shaping his students’ minds
Lynn Reichman is in his 25th year of teaching in the Garaway Local School District. He currently teaches English/language arts at Baltic Elementary for fourth grade through sixth grade.
When he was younger, Lynn Reichman took a “What job best fits you” test.
His two choices were to be a pastor or a teacher.
“I have both of these professions in my family,” said Reichman, who teaches English/language arts at Baltic Elementary for fourth grade through sixth grade. “I really enjoyed working with children and wanted to be a part of educating young people. I wanted to be able to help make a difference in young people’s lives. Another reason (I went into teaching) was that my great-grandfather taught in a one-room school, and I remembered him talking about his experiences when I was a young boy. I have enjoyed being able to help shape the minds of my students.”
One of Reichman’s favorite teaching memories is when they took students to the Baltic cabins.
“(We would) have an afternoon filled with many different activities to help students learn about a much simpler life,” he said. “We would have pioneer games and crafts, cook over the fire, and learn about Native Americans.”
When Reichman began his teaching career, he didn’t realize how much of a family his co-workers, students and their families would become to him.
“Two-and-a-half years ago, I had to have quadruple bypass surgery,” he said. “The way my co-workers, district staff, students, and their families and others in the community supported me was amazing. I am truly blessed to work for Garaway Local Schools and in this community. Thank you to all who made this crazy time a lot easier for me.”
For Reichman, the most rewarding part of his job is twofold.
“The first one is when you see a student’s face light up when they understand something for the first time,” he said. “The smile they get and the sparkle in their eyes are priceless. The second one is when after many years you have a former student come up and start talking about something that they experienced in your classroom or a memory that you share. I have now started to have parents who will bring their child up so they can both share their memories. After 32 years I do have to sometimes ask them their name because they have changed in looks.”
The most challenging part of his job has involved change.
“I am not a person who likes change,” Reichman said. “It was a challenge when I had to change grade levels. I enjoy teaching the upper elementary students now, but I was so used to the second grade. Another challenge I had was when we moved to using computers so much for everyday learning. I get very frustrated with technology. Thank goodness for my students who can help me figure it out.”
When Reichman was a student, he played football, threw the shot put and discus in track and field, was involved in the German Club and the Pep Club, and was on the yearbook staff and was co-editor of the yearbook his senior year.
Reichman has a variety of things he likes to do when he’s not teaching.
“I am very active in the Moravian Youth Camping Ministry,” he said. “I will soon have 50 years attending our senior high/post-high camp as a camper and then on staff. I also enjoy going to antique shops and looking through history. I collect crocks (not the shoes), and I have a large Charlie Brown collection. I love spending time with my family and friends as well as my dog Maggie. The last thing I enjoy doing is traveling both around the United States and abroad. I plan on doing much more of this when I retire.”
“Teacher Spotlight” is a feature on a local teacher.