Kennedy Lynn '18, '20
Kennedy was born and raised in Lexington, Missouri, where she attended school and made so many of the memories that shaped who she is today. Growing up, she was convinced she would be a veterinarian. She toured multiple colleges with that dream in mind, but the moment she stepped foot in Manhattan, she completely fell in love with the town and everything K-State had to offer. It just felt like home.
Her plans took a turn the day she walked into Hoeflin Stonehouse — and she am so thankful they did! That’s when she realized her heart belonged in education. Kansas State not only helped her find a career she truly loves every single day, but it also gave her lifelong friendships and incredible mentors who helped shape her into the educator she is today.
After earning her master’s degree in early childhood special education, she began teaching with USD 383 as an ECSE teacher. In 2021, she decided it was time to be closer to her family, so she moved to Orrick, Missouri, and joined the Excelsior Springs School District. For the past 5 years, she has been teaching in a Head Start classroom, and she absolutely love getting to support young learners during such an important and exciting stage of their lives.
In the classroom, known as the Willing Whales, you’ll often find us embracing messy play, hands-on learning, and lots of joyful exploration! She am passionate about working with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and abilities and celebrating what makes each child unique. Building strong, meaningful partnerships with families is incredibly important to Kennedy, and she strives to create a classroom environment that feels welcoming, safe, and full of joy — a place where children are excited to walk through the door every single day.
Outside of school, Kennedy is usually reading (my goal is 100 books this year!), playing with her sweet, but ornery dog Potter, trying out new restaurants, or spending quality time with friends and family.