This issue of The Tattler is my final issue as Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and our beloved advisor’s final issue after serving The Tattler for fifteen full years. I thought I’d explain a bit about Ms. Lynn’s tremendous influence as our advisor and what that has really meant over the years.
Every IHS club needs an advisor, and for the newspaper, that means Ms. Lynn reads everything we write and is at every meeting. Ms. Lynn has always been a steady, calming supporter of our work, but she is also firm when needed. She cares deeply about student journalism rights and maintaining The Tattler’s values and identity as a newspaper- of which she never fails to remind us of. The Tattler is completely student-run—it’s what makes the organization so special—but at the times when I’m beaten down by too much editing and backlash from the audience, Ms. Lynn reminds me of the reason we do this work: to uplift, highlight, and maintain student voice. She empowers us to stick by our words and urges us to make a difference for the things we care about. Ms. Lynn has always sat in the back of our meetings, sometimes remaining silent, sometimes voicing a teacher’s perspective, sometimes a concerned reader’s perspective, but she’s always focused on making the words of student journalists come to life in the best possible way. When everything seems to be a mess, Ms. Lynn is always the person I can count on. When there’s a mistake, Ms. Lynn is clear but never dismissive. When my phone somehow fails to record our whole conversation for this article, Ms. Lynn is still willing to volunteer her time to help out. Ms. Lynn has worked with fifteen different Tattler boards and has overseen the production of nearly 150 issues. It’s no small feat. So in her last couple of weeks at IHS, I had the honor of speaking with her about her time with The Tattler.
Frances Klemm ’23: How did you start in this position? What made you interested in this work?
Deborah Lynn: I became the advisor in 2008 so fifteen years in this position. I started teaching here in 2003, so this represents most of the years I have been at IHS. The prior advisor (Roz Teukolsky) was retiring. It sounded interesting to me and I knew that the paper was going through some rough times with the current administration. I wanted to step in and help the students maintain as much autonomy with the paper as possible. It was also an opportunity to have a different role from teaching physics. It has been a nice balance to my responsibilities at the school.
FK: Did you have any experience with newspapers before this?
DL: I did not have any experience with journalism or newspaper creation before this. I am an avid reader of several journals, newspapers, and books. I love to learn and this was an opportunity to learn something very different.
One important thing I learned was to read every word and not be shy about voicing any concerns. One time I let a troublesome, controversial sentence be printed and there were lots of phone calls from concerned parents. If I slacked off on reading every word before printing—which was only a few times—I came to regret it. I also learned to trust the student editors to do their jobs and teach me about the process. Sometimes I had to step in when there were issues among editors but that was not often.
I see my role as supportive and try to give advice mostly through the EiC when possible. On occasion I have talked to editors about how to alter the tone of a piece so it is less divisive—to phrase things so readers will actually read the whole article and not be turned off by some unnecessary tone right from the start. In science, ideally when researchers give feedback to others, the focus is on the work, not on personal attacks. This is just as applicable to our work on the paper.
FK: Why do you think student journalism is important?
DL: Student journalism is important because this is your place where you spend so much time and are living under the rules and policies set by others. You need to have a voice to express your concerns and joys. The paper has done some terrific in-depth articles that have had an impact on policy. The Board of Education Representatives read the paper. The superintendent and principal read the paper. People in the wider community read the paper and it is a major way that news of our school is disseminated from a student perspective. In some cases it has been the major source of news items. It is also one way teachers find out about things going on around the school that we may not be aware of.
FK: What have been the most gratifying moments from your experience with The Tattler?
DL: Some of the most gratifying moments for me are during editor meeting discussions. I’ve been so impressed with the collaborative and respectful way discussions are carried out. And the role of the EiC in facilitating these discussions (which can get intense sometimes) is amazing to watch. It is quite difficult to be in that kind of leadership role with people your own age and overall, this role has been handled gracefully and effectively.
Sometimes when an EiC has been chosen for the next year, I have been concerned that maybe that person would not be able to handle the responsibilities. I have always been proven wrong. It is a wonderful thing to watch new EiCs step up to what is required and to see the respect that the other editors have in deferring to the EiC.
FK: In your fifteen years in this position, what are your fondest memories of The Tattler?
DL: I can’t pinpoint one particular moment or event. It has been a joy and a privilege to be associated with the group of students who put together the paper. Seeing your pride in the work. Seeing the issues completed and distributed. It is a huge job that you all do.
FK: What are your plans for your retirement?
DL: Right now I am keeping my options open. I am taking a trip to Ecuador for two weeks in July with the Cayuga Bird Club where we will spend hours just walking around looking at birds. Last year, I went on a trip to a different part of Ecuador with the same organization and leader, and in eleven days we encountered over three hundred species of birds. It was amazing. Often we were up and out at four a.m. and busy until dinner. Sometimes an owl walk at night. There will be some serious birders on the trip who have “target” birds they want to see that are endemic to some of the areas we will visit. I’m a pretty casual birder—I just like to look at them and marvel at the many colors and shapes and behaviors in front of me.
I recently took up quilting. I never expected to like it so much. There’s something elegant and challenging about piecing different fabrics in various patterns and different color ways that I am finding very appealing. So I expect to do more of that. I also have a grandson now, born December 2, who I hope to spend more time with, watching his growth and interacting with him. Having a grandchild warms my heart in a way I didn’t expect. And seeing my daughter and her partner interact with him is a joy.
I also plan to do more reading. I have always loved reading novels and historical fiction but with the requirements of teaching, I have not done very much of that. Instead I have tended to read shorter articles and pieces in different journals.
FK: Do you have any advice for the next advisor?
DL: I think of this position as having two major goals—protecting student voice and keeping us from getting sued. Read every word before sending to the printers.
FK: What about advice for future editorial boards?
DL: Keep doing what you are doing, running meetings so that all voices can be heard, maintaining high standards for the paper and your own work. Like the advisor, EiC and Copy should not skimp—read every word before saying it is ready to go. If teachers want to write something—make it a letter to the editor. Keep it as your paper with as much autonomy as possible. Even if you are writing about things that are more national or international, you can often tie it back into our school community. Take pride and care in
training the new editors. Keep the advisor informed—CC on all emails. Be sure facts are checked and sourced. Even opinion pieces should be well researched and supported, not just a rant. I’m so glad to be associated with all of the editorial staff. I’m very proud of all of you and have enjoyed watching folks mature in their roles.
Thank you for everything, Ms. Lynn. I have learned so much from you over the years on how to stick up for my voice as a student journalist. You’ve cultivated an environment that has helped this newspaper foster self-empowerment and autonomy and I know it will leave a lasting impact. We wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life.