News Releases
July 3, 2008
Lynn Ronald Receives 2008 Distinguished Alumna Award
Lynn Ronald, a special education teacher at View Ridge Elementary School in northeast Seattle, has been named the 2008 Antioch Seattle Distinguished Alumna.
She was honored at commencement June 8 for making a difference both in the lives of her students at View Ridge, where she has taught since 2002, and underprivileged children of Mexico and Washington state.
Ronald, who holds a B.A. with Teacher Preparation ('02), an M.A. in Education ('03), a Special Education Endorsement ('04) and Professional Teacher Certificate ('06), credits her experience at Antioch for her success as a teacher. She says Antioch's support for paraprofessionals in the school district and for students who seek to reach their dreams of becoming teachers were leading factors in who she is today. Ronald, her husband James and their son Connor also run a nonprofit organization that distributes shoes to poor children and adults that live in or near a dump in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as well as in Washington state.
Among her accomplishments at View Ridge Elementary:
- Started and ran a student council and yearbook.
- Received a "Golden Apple Award" for her efforts to interpret for deaf children.
- Built a butterfly garden that received registration from the National Wildlife Federation.
- Received an "Earth Hero" Award from King County Executive Ron Sims for setting an outstanding example of creative/effective environmental educational efforts in King County.
- Began a "Self-Managers" program for students to rise up and take responsibility and be rewarded for their actions.
- Received the Joan Platt Humanitarian Award for her involvement with children at View Ridge.
Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award bring distinction to Antioch by making a significant contribution to their professional field or to the community. They also must be willing to serve as ambassadors for the University. President Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet, in consultation with the Alumni Relations Office, selects the annual recipient of the award.
About Antioch
At Antioch University Seattle, adult learners find innovative, individualized programs with a commitment not only to academic excellence, but also to community service and social justice. Antioch is an accredited university in downtown Seattle. You'll find numerous master's degrees, a B.A. completion program in liberal studies, a doctorate in clinical psychology plus teaching and other certificates.
Antioch was founded in 1852 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Horace Mann, noted abolitionist and first president of Antioch College, gave a charge to the class of 1859 that is repeated to each Antioch graduating class: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."
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