Alumni Educator Profile
Deborah McGinn
Class of 1977
Grade/Subject/Position: Lincoln High School English 9-12
Lincoln, NE
When I realized/discovered I wanted to be a teacher: I had some great English teachers at Pius who challenged and inspired me. Specifically Mrs. Warner, Sister Amata, Mrs. Wolter, Mrs. Dickenson and a private writing mentor, Mrs. Chadwick. Most of my dearest friends were gifted in the math and sciences, and my independent interest and journey was literature and writing poetry, first-person narrative, and a little fiction. I wanted to explore the depths of those subjects and I had teachers who embraced my talents and need to improve and grow them. I worked on the Pius X Change newspaper and journalism was interesting and I learned, but not something I wanted to pursue. It is experiences if they are detailed and engaging that serve as inspiration.
School memories that impacted how/why I teach: I value the friendships and influences of my friends. I learned best from teachers who saw my potential and understood that I could be successful whether I ever understand an equation or dreaded story problem in math. Math terrified me. When I teach English today to a math and science minded kid, I am willing to sit one on one and kindly lead him or her through the basics. When a light comes on for them dim or bright, and they are willing to try something new and what doesn’t come easily, I know my work is meaningful. I know that I have reduced their fears a little and created a safe place to improve and appreciate all the aspects of English that they will use in life. English is writing essays and the academic voice, and it is also about plays, poetry, fiction, memoir, communicating on paper for college and life. English is a great release for mental health. Humor has its place, intensity, simplicity and all that is attainable through words and language.
The impact of my students on me: My BA and Masters degrees are only a fraction of the reward. Winning three State Championships in LHS Slam Poetry in 2013, 2014 and 2018 with an outstanding student team of well-crafted writers is frosting. The authentic reward is that I know I am doing what is in my element. I get to work with young people and make education relevant, and meaningful and fun. I get to work with strugglers, kids I can help fit in, gifted ones, ornery ones who need a little TLC, sassy ones who learn respect of self and others, and those who get an opportunity to have boosts in confidence. The level of acceptance I have learned at Lincoln High School is something I value most. I get in my car and I love where I’m heading. I have a classroom of a fine variety of color, culture, and human beings striving to feel equally loved and valued. God put me here to feel the depth of my own life and a student body of 2400 who enter my classroom one at a time and collectively we form a community. The pandemic years have been difficult for educators, staff and students, everywhere, no doubt. But we pray and we carry on. We lean on our family for support and we look for ways to engage and stay in good health together. We found out that we don’t like Zoom, remote learning, technological difficulties and we know that connecting in person is better, yet we make it. We believe.
Family Update: My dad is Jerry McGinn. I lost my mom Mary in 2019. I have a dog named Spinelli and I still keep in contact with my friends of ’77 and my today friends.
Hobbies & Activities: I have done BRAN as a cyclist in my youth, I love to walk, write, drink coffee at The Mill on Prescott, attend plays, films, attend sporting events…
Personal Achievement: Learning how to ask for help when needed, accept differences, realize my dreams, recover from sadness and tougher times, and give my full heart to young people. I have learned to feel genuine gratitude for people, mentors, teachers of all kinds. And so much more. This answer is still unfolding.
My memories of Pius X: The class of 1974 when I was a 9th grader set me up to be successful. It wasn’t just their state champ status in football and basketball, but the fact that they knew how to win and remain humble. They talked to me, and they emulated what fine character looked like. They were kind and humorous, not arrogant. I wanted to be like them. Diane Prockish and I often rode the senior pep club bus as freshmen, and the cheerleaders were funny and included us in their laughter.
