Lynn McClain - she/her

Ms. M.

Teacher

lmcclain@sierraacademy.net

As the Art Facilitator and US History Teacher at SAEL, Lynn is excited to share her passion for the arts with each and every student. She has a love for fiber arts and the making of everyday, useful objects more aesthetically pleasing. The world is a beautiful place and our lives should be surrounded by it, especially during stressful times.

She believes that everyone should realize that they can do art, no matter how it turns out.  Playing with varied artistic mediums for enjoyment is a must. Art is for everyone, yes everyone!  It opens the doors of creativity, teaches you time management skills, and gives you confidence. Art teaches you to pay attention to detail, to focus, and how to persevere through things that might make you uncomfortable.  It helps you get in touch with your emotions and helps you to relax.

Maybe it is all the historical documentaries or maybe it's just seeing what we, as humans, have and have not learned from the past that makes US History so fun to explore. I really get excited when a student finds a similar enjoyment in exploring past events, when it lights that fire in them to do something, to make a change that can help others.  As the US History teacher I hope to light a few more of those fires.

When a group of LGBTQIA+ students asked if she would help them start a GSA, Lynn was honored to do so, accepting the position of advisor to the GSA club.  The GSA is now going strong and is a welcoming body of students who strive to ensure that SAEL meets the needs of and is sensitive to the LGBTQIA+ community.  

Lynn’s undergraduate years were spent at UC Santa Barbara.  She took time to travel through Europe, trying to learn how to speak French before returning to more formal education.  After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from the Hutchins School (a specialized school inside of Sonoma State University), she continued on to earn her credential from Sonoma State. 

Lynn has successfully raised her three children to adulthood. Two of them are currently attending prestigious colleges on the east coast. They are each artistic in their own way; her youngest even plans on being an Art Professor and is a much more accomplished artist than her mother could ever be.