By Lynnette Christensen
The BYU–Public School Partnership is based on sound moral principles and vision that direct and inspire the life’s work and professional relationships of many talented, good people. Vision and relationships both require commitment—a stewardship—of those involved. Stewardship requires high professional standards that safeguard interests and deeply held values. It requires taking responsibility for nurturing the interests and well-being of the whole.
The stewardship of an educator includes
1. Stewardship of self to maintain high standards, lifelong learning and improvement, and physical, emotional, and mental health.
2. Stewardship of others that embraces recognizing and fulfilling responsibilities to nurture and mentor those who are new to the profession and those working with and around us, as well as upholding/defending public schools and their purpose.
3. Stewardship of moral principles and standards that requires safeguarding interests and deeply held values.
My first introduction to and work within the partnership started 24 years ago when I was a graduate student. In the years that have followed, my experiences with good stewards in the partnership have gifted me with many things. I have learned from and been mentored by some of the finest educators and stewards at both the university and in the public schools. Opportunities for professional growth have been many.
These experiences inspired me to understand my stewardship and the importance of paying it forward in mentoring and supporting others to be good stewards of education as they, in turn, build others and support excellence. The reciprocal nature of partnership work has blessed my work, made it more meaningful and satisfying, and given me wonderful relationships and friendships that I will cherish for life.
“If I have seen further [than others] it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
—Isaac Newton, letter to Robert Hooke, 5 February 1675/1676
Lynnette Christensen has served as the research administrator for the Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling (CITES) for 15 years. She has a longtime love for at-risk children and their families, starting her career as a community health educator before earning a graduate degree in special education at BYU as well as a postbaccalaureate teaching certificate. She began working for the BYU–Public School Partnership as a student employee developing positive behavior support frameworks for schools. She fell in love with the work and was delighted to continue at CITES, supporting student success and giving teachers better tools to help struggling students. She has worked in partnership schools to provide behavioral consultation for students and professional development for teachers and has participated in research that builds better schools for both. Away from work, she can be found reading, sewing, crafting, and enjoying time in the sun and the water.