Principal Lincoln Thomson - Dr. Mary Kinahan 
 
Dr. Kinahan has been an experienced educator and leader for over 23 years in her career. She has been an active sitting Principal in the Lynn Public Schools for the past 2 years as the Principal of the Early Childhood Center.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of Education from Southern Methodist University, and her Doctor of Education from Northeastern University.  
 
Dr. Kinahan formally submitted a request to Superintendent Alvarez to be considered transferred to Lincoln Thomson School to replace Mary Foster as Principal. After providing a variety of meetings with Lincoln Thomson staff, students, and families, these groups shared positive feedback to Dr. Alvarez asking for her to consider approving the transfer. upon the retirement of Mary Foster, current Principal of the school. Dr. Kinahan shared her passion and personal commitment to ensuring that all students’ individual academic and social-emotional needs are met and that we support teachers in achieving that goal. She is a well-respected staff member who will lead the Lincoln Thomson community with incredible commitment and expertise.

Superintendent Evonne Alvarez announces the appointment of a new elementary principal, Erin Zukowski.

After conducting extensive interviews of 6 qualified applicants, we were able to appoint the best educator to lead one of our schools and support our students, families, and teachers. Below is the candidate chosen for Sisson Elementary School:



Ms. Zukowski has been an experienced educator and leader in Lynn Public Schools for the past 23 years.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Salem State University, a Master of Arts in Middle School Math from Salem State University and completed her Administrator/Principal Preparation Program through the Commonwealth Leadership Academy. Ms. Zukowski is a strong instructional leader used as a model of best practices in instruction. She has worked as a district math coach for the past 15 years and most recently stepped in as the Interim Assistant Director of Curriculum for Mathematics K-5. Ms. Zukowski has a passion and personal commitment to ensuring that all students’ individual academic and social-emotional needs are met and that we support our teachers in achieving these goals.  Ms. Zukowski is a well-respected staff member who will lead the Sisson community with incredible commitment and expertise.

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New Executive Director of Innovation and Grants Management

Superintendent Evonne Alvarez is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Shannon Gardner as Executive Director of Innovation and Grants Management.

A 25-year employee of Lynn Public Schools, Dr. Gardner brings 14 years of teaching experience and 11 years of administrative experience to this new role. Shannon has worked on school reform under Race to the Top, school redesign, and school turnaround. She led and developed Lynn's celebrated early college program for 11 years, including being a founder of the Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy. In addition, she previously oversaw the humanities content areas and the Advanced Placement program. She introduced inquiry-based literacy practices in Social Studies, which are now core to Social Studies instruction, and launched our award-winning civics action research projects in the 8th and 10th grade.

Dr. Gardner first began her education career in Lynn as an English teacher and then later earned her ESL license and began teaching ESL as an adjunct professor in the evenings at North Shore Community College. In the summers for many years, she also taught ESL to international students at Tufts University. She participated in a principal preparation program and earned her principals’ license through the Commonwealth Leadership Academy. Her past administrative roles have been Program Specialist for Race to the Top, Assistant Director of Humanities, Assistant Director of Post-Secondary Readiness and Strategic Partnerships.

Dr. Gardner earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT, double majoring in English and Political Science. She earned two Master’s degrees from Salem State University (Master of Arts in Teaching English and Master of Arts in Teaching ESL). She holds a Doctorate from Northeastern with a dissertation on problem-based learning.

All of Dr. Gardner’s combined career educational experience under scores the essential work she is purposeful and passionate about: creating pathways through transformational, enlivening and valuable educational teaching, learning and programming.

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