For 20 years, Mrs. Johanne Lynch has taught Great Neck students to translate 2,000-year-old works by the likes of Julius Caesar and Vergil. Now, the Latin teacher is finishing her final year of imparting wisdom and positivity to her students, all the while carrying on the heart and history of Ancient Rome to the present day.
Lynch did not begin her career identifying Latin grammar and literary devices to teenage classes. Initially hoping to enter the medical field, she only discovered her love for Classics after enrolling in a Latin class in college to fulfill a language requirement. Having studied Latin in high school, she decided to dedicate her studies to the field following the encouragement of her Latin and Greek teachers.
Post-graduation, Lynch discovered a love for teaching during a teaching fellowship at Fordham University’s graduate program. She then took time off to care for her children as a stay-at-home mother— but soon enough, she longed to return to the classroom. In the fall of 2004, after teaching Latin briefly at North Shore Middle School and St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy, she stumbled upon Great Neck’s advertisement for a Latin teacher. “I interviewed and got the job and I have always thanked God for it,” Lynch said. “I feel blessed being here.”
Currently, Lynch teaches Latin 9, 11H, and 12AP at North High (there were too few Latin students to form a sophomore class). Halfway through her day, she heads over to South High to teach Latin Literature 11 and AP Latin. She has previously taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes at North and South Middle as well.
“Because I teach Latin, I teach the same kids year after year, so we really do become close— we become a family,” Lynch said, reflecting on her relationships with her classes. At North, she teaches a small group of students in each grade from the moment they step foot into high school until the day they graduate. Lynch fondly remembers having once taught the same class from 6th through 12th grade. “I love that— to be connected with people, and my students, year after year after year.”
Lynch openly expresses her love for her students in the classroom and works hard to support them as much as possible. “I try to listen, not just with my mind, but with my heart,” she said. Instead of judging her students’ performance harshly, she finds opportunities to speak honestly with them about their struggles and concerns.
“Mrs. Lynch is more than just a teacher; she never notices a student stressed or tired without asking if she can help,” senior Isaac Xu, currently enrolled in AP Latin, said. “Our class has developed a deep connection over four years together, and we could not have asked for a more compassionate teacher.” According to Xu, she does not pass on the opportunity to share entertaining anecdotes from her personal life, such as the origins of her name or the troubles of growing up with six brothers. The care and effort she puts into each class imparts her love of the Latin language to her students as well.
“By studying Latin or reading what [the Romans] wrote, their poetry, their histories— you get an understanding that we’re not so different from the people who lived 2,000 years ago,” Lynch remarked. “A lot of the problems that we are experiencing, they experienced too. It gives us a sense of placement, I think, in human history.” She describes the way Catullus’ poems animate the thoughts and emotions of ancient Romans: brotherly love, the comfort of home, opinions on so-called crazy people.
Senior Victoria Cho agreed: “I remember being really moved by Catullus’ poem about letting go of unrequited love— it was such a human struggle.” Often impressed by the introspective and heart-wrenching language of classical texts, she finds herself emotionally invested in the stories of the characters and authors. “I remember being really moved by passages from the Aeneid and Metamorphoses especially, such as when Dido committed suicide, or when Daphne turned into a tree, because of the level of nuance and emotion. The stories give a new depth to well-known mythological figures.”
Mrs. Lynch admits that, unfortunately, the Latin student population is diminishing across the board. She recalled that in her high school days, nearly every Catholic school taught Latin— now, very few do. Even her former graduate school shut down the Classics program she studied at. “When I found that out, I couldn’t believe it,” Lynch said. Year by year, fewer students at North High have been interested in taking Latin— the current junior Latin class consists of only three students, and the current sophomore class does not exist.
“For the most part, I think Latin is in danger of extinction. It needs life support. It needs students,” Lynch said. Despite common remarks of Latin being a “dead language,” she believes that Latin is invaluable for intellectual enrichment. “The fact that Latin is such an inflected language helps really sharpen and hone the critical skills of a person’s intellect,” Lynch said, referring to Latin’s complex word endings that must be analyzed. Moreover, Latin broadens and deepens students’ understanding of English, as well as many other Latin-influenced languages.
Most importantly, to Lynch, the loss of Latin studies means the loss of an essential source of historical heritage, and the loss of a lens to understand humanity. While original Roman texts do provide a complex account of historically significant wars and events, she argued that the emotional and philosophical lessons embedded within classical texts are most meaningful. “If we understand the relation we have with the people who were before us, maybe we can understand that we have a connection and responsibility for the people who are going to come after us,” she said. Understanding the value of Latin is crucial in representing ancient history in all its character, from vivid battle tales to delicate love poems.
Even in retirement, she will faithfully uphold her desire to spread love and kindness. “I will be taking care of my family and I probably will be a little more active in service areas, like in my parish,” Lynch said. She added that she looks forward to spending more time reading “good” historical novels and playing the clarinet.
For Lynch, it is extremely difficult to leave North High and the students she has grown to love. “The heart of [North High] is excellent,” she said. As a true believer of human goodness, she instructs students to recognize and promote the kindness present within the school community. “Almost every day a student— not the same student, different students everyday— will stop me and take my backpack to carry it down the stairs. That is real goodness. It’s important to remember that often goodness doesn’t get published— sometimes we just don’t see it because the bad stuff can be so dramatic.”
As for the future of Latin at North High: Mrs. Tobin, the other Latin teacher at South High, will take Mrs. Lynch’s place temporarily. Mrs. Lynch continues to advocate for Latin education— she believes that the language, in all its historic glory and beauty, will survive.
As some final advice, Mrs. Lynch encourages her students to explore new academic avenues in college and dedicate themselves to a career they truly enjoy. “Do what makes you happy, and if you’re happy, you’ll be able to help make the world a better place,” she said. “Never be afraid to be kind.” Mrs. Lynch certainly lives by her advice— her love for both Latin and teaching drives her to step in the classroom and brighten her students’ days. Although Mrs. Lynch will be leaving North High’s classrooms, her wholehearted dedication to uplifting others as well as her perceptive outlook on the world at large has inspired— and will continue to inspire— many of us.
“My students will always be a part of me. Semper in meo corde.”
