Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 20, 2012

Lynne Wallace has recently been named the Mount Ayr Community high school principal this past year after being the elementary principal here for five years. Mrs. Wallace has been in administration for 10 years as she was the elementary principal for four years in Bedford before coming to Mount. Ayr.

Mrs. Wallace and her husband, Kurt Wallace, both joined the faculty here at Mount Ayr when they moved here along with their children Allison, who is a junior, and Alex, who is a senior at the University of Iowa.

Before becoming an administrator, Lynne was a kindergarten teacher at Hartley-Melvin for four years where she and another teacher started an all-day kindergarten program in 1981. She was also a first grade teacher at BGM (Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom) for nine years and taught fourth grade for nine years at Green Mountain-Garwin.

This is currently Mrs. Wallace's 32nd year of being in education!

Mrs. Wallace's origins come from graduating from South Tama county high school in Tama and then continuing her education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls where she received her bachelor's degree and master's degree.

Being a principal, there are many great things about your job as Mrs. Wallace agreed. "One of the best parts is seeing students succeed whether it be at academics, sports, drama or anything that they try. It is rewarding to see students work or try hard and to see it pay off for them.

"Our students are talented in so many areas." She added, "Another great part of my job is interacting with students, whether it be to help them solve a problem they may have or just visiting with them to hear their perspective."

The best advice Mrs. Wallace says she could give to the students today is, "Develop a good work ethic and be responsible and you will be successful in whatever you do. It sounds simple but unfortunately too many students choose not to work up to their potential. Also, be involved in something, whether it be a sport, drama, speech, band, choir, FFA, etc. It allows you to become part of a family where you have the same interests, you can develop friendships, and people get to really know you, all while having fun."

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2013