Libby Lynch

Beginning Art, Intermediate Art, Advanced Art, AP Studio Art

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Lynch has been a teacher for 18 years. She taught in the Shelby County Schools before coming to USJ 12 years ago.

Libby has a bachelor of arts degree from Union, bachelor of fine arts degree from the Memphis College of Art, and a masters degree in art theory from the University of Memphis. She is a member of the National Art Education Association and is past president of the Tennessee Art Education Association

She was named Tennessee's Art Educator of the Year for 2004.

Her husband, Shane, teaches American history and AP European History at USJ. They have two children: Trey is a senior at USJ; Ann Elizabeth is in ninth grade at USJ.

"All students can learn to draw," she says. "USJ has the best students and the most supportive parents anywhere."

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Tennessee Arts Academy

Libby Lynch, Upper School art instructor at University School of Jackson, was selected to attend the 2009 Tennessee Arts Academy in July. The Academy is a nationally recognized flagship program of intensive teacher training in art, music, and drama/theatre sponsored by the Arts Education Program of the Tennessee Department of Education.

The Tennessee Arts Academy is a nationally acclaimed summer professional development program in arts education for teachers and administrators held on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. Participants, representing school districts throughout the state, are chosen from among hundreds of art, music and drama/theatre classroom teachers.

The aim of the Academy is to present concepts, skills and materials to enhance the teaching of art, drama and music in the classrooms of Tennessee. Celebrating more than 20 years of excellence, the Tennessee Arts Academy boasts experiences designed to meet the needs of teachers including standards-based instruction, clinics by nationally-recognized experts, performances by Tennessee artists and unlimited resources and opportunities for networking with peers from across the state. Besides more than 30 hours of instruction each week, there are performances made possible by funds from the Tennessee Arts Commission, inspirational speakers, and other special events.

Lynch said, “ I was honored when I was able to attend for the first time 20 years ago, then after attending as a participant for three years, I attended as a facilitator for two years. This is the first opportunity I have had to return in several years, and I am so excited. This academy allows teachers time to network with their peers, rejuvenate their creative spirit, and learn new and exciting ideas to share in the classroom. The students who are involved in the arts across the state of Tennessee are the ultimate beneficiaries of this wonderful experience.”