Lauren Parker is a freelance writer and 7th Grade Booker T. parent.
Laura Lynch Geraghty
MIDDLE SCHOOL MEMORIES
LAURA LYNCH GERAGHTY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
By Lauren Parker
December 9, 2020
December 9, 2020
Did you start at Booker T. as the assistant principal?
No. I’ve been the assistant principal of Booker T. for over seven years, but taught math here for eight years prior. In fact, I’ve taught all different grades and classes: 6th, 7th, 8th, Gen. Ed., honors, ENL, ICT, self-contained and some technology and gym classes!
And before that?
I was teaching summer school in Inwood as a NYC Teaching Fellow. Right out of college, I was a travel agent and gained a lot of experience with customer service and travel planning, not to mention the perk of a Jamaica business trip! In college and before, I’ve done everything from babysitting and camp counselor to security guard, student campus safety driver, private wealth management intern and caterer/bartender!
How did you come to education?
I always played "school" as a child with my Cabbage Patch Kids (my older brother refused to be in my “class”) and eventually subjected my younger cousins to my school where I promoted myself to principal. But I actually wanted to be a doctor! I began college as a pre-med student then moved into more of a business track only then to eventually apply to the NYC Teaching Fellows Program. I think I realized my favorite part of my work as a travel agent was researching, planning and explaining trips and various destinations for clients. I was educating them as I learned too! This naturally led me into becoming a teacher. I have a B.A. in Economics with a Business Emphasis from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Additionally, I have two Masters degrees from The City College of New York; one in Secondary Mathematics Education and the other in School Building Leadership K-12.
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Laura Lynch Geraghty
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Laura Lynch, 6th grade.
Let's talk about your middle school experience...
I grew up on Long Island, NY in the village of Garden City. I was in the St. Joseph’s School in 6th grade and broke free of having to wear a uniform in 7th grade by transferring to Garden City Middle School.
What is your fondest memory of middle school?
I remember my friends getting me on the Scream Machine at Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ for our 8th grade trip (just like Booker T. students). I was so scared, but they were very persuasive and after my first ride, I was hooked! Now I enjoy riding the roller coasters and eating cheese fries/curly fries when I chaperone the 8th graders to Great Adventure.
Were you in band or other clubs?
I was in the chorus and remember auditioning alone with the chorus teacher one morning before school. I was so nervous! I really cannot sing well but somehow was accepted (or now that I understand school programming more, maybe that was the only class with space)! I also took piano lessons outside of school for 12 years.
My favorite sport in middle school was field hockey and I was on the 7th and 8th grade teams.
I grew up on Long Island, NY in the village of Garden City. I was in the St. Joseph’s School in 6th grade and broke free of having to wear a uniform in 7th grade by transferring to Garden City Middle School.
What is your fondest memory of middle school?
I remember my friends getting me on the Scream Machine at Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ for our 8th grade trip (just like Booker T. students). I was so scared, but they were very persuasive and after my first ride, I was hooked! Now I enjoy riding the roller coasters and eating cheese fries/curly fries when I chaperone the 8th graders to Great Adventure.
Were you in band or other clubs?
I was in the chorus and remember auditioning alone with the chorus teacher one morning before school. I was so nervous! I really cannot sing well but somehow was accepted (or now that I understand school programming more, maybe that was the only class with space)! I also took piano lessons outside of school for 12 years.
My favorite sport in middle school was field hockey and I was on the 7th and 8th grade teams.
Was there a middle school teacher who had a profound impact on your path in life?
Ms. Wasserman was my 8th grade math teacher and I did very well in her class. I always admired her ability to remain calm in sometimes chaotic class periods, explain everything so clearly and patiently, and come to school each day in very fashionable clothing. She radiated that she loved her career and I thought back then, I’d like to be like that in my own career!
If you could go back in time and give your middle-school self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy the moment! Do your best but don’t obsess over doing everything (schoolwork) perfectly. Attention to detail is good, but it’s important to see the bigger, overall picture.
What's the biggest difference for middle-schoolers today?
Technology! Although I was on the phone (landline) with friends for hours daily, I really can’t imagine having a cell phone at that age and managing all the texting and social media. I think it’s really important for parents to constantly talk to their child about their use of the cell phone and social media and set very clear limits. Easier said than done now that I have a 6th grader, of course!
Ms. Wasserman was my 8th grade math teacher and I did very well in her class. I always admired her ability to remain calm in sometimes chaotic class periods, explain everything so clearly and patiently, and come to school each day in very fashionable clothing. She radiated that she loved her career and I thought back then, I’d like to be like that in my own career!
If you could go back in time and give your middle-school self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy the moment! Do your best but don’t obsess over doing everything (schoolwork) perfectly. Attention to detail is good, but it’s important to see the bigger, overall picture.
What's the biggest difference for middle-schoolers today?
Technology! Although I was on the phone (landline) with friends for hours daily, I really can’t imagine having a cell phone at that age and managing all the texting and social media. I think it’s really important for parents to constantly talk to their child about their use of the cell phone and social media and set very clear limits. Easier said than done now that I have a 6th grader, of course!
Under Booker T.'s current situation, what do you miss most about not having a school full of students?
My conversations with the students! I am not there at all as I work remotely and am expecting a baby in March, so I really miss seeing/interacting with any of the kids!
Booker T. is such a great place to work and I feel so fortunate that I was hired there in late August 2006. I have made lifelong friends there and have connections with students that last to this day!
What is something people would be surprised or delighted to learn about you?
I am really very silly! I love to laugh and make others laugh, and was actually voted 2nd place Funniest in my middle school and high school yearbooks! I’m still working on 1st place...
Do you have a favorite something to share with Booker T. parents/students?
I’d love to share the recipe for my favorite dessert: Russian Teacakes. I have made these for the staff’s Holiday Cookie Party numerous times and have to stop myself from eating them all. If you like butter, you’ll enjoy!
My conversations with the students! I am not there at all as I work remotely and am expecting a baby in March, so I really miss seeing/interacting with any of the kids!
Booker T. is such a great place to work and I feel so fortunate that I was hired there in late August 2006. I have made lifelong friends there and have connections with students that last to this day!
What is something people would be surprised or delighted to learn about you?
I am really very silly! I love to laugh and make others laugh, and was actually voted 2nd place Funniest in my middle school and high school yearbooks! I’m still working on 1st place...
Do you have a favorite something to share with Booker T. parents/students?
I’d love to share the recipe for my favorite dessert: Russian Teacakes. I have made these for the staff’s Holiday Cookie Party numerous times and have to stop myself from eating them all. If you like butter, you’ll enjoy!
| RUSSIAN TEACAKES From BettyCrocker.com 1 cup butter, softened 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄4 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar Heat oven to 400°F. Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in flour and salt until dough holds together. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set, but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again |