Providing assistance for first-generation college students
Her story ended short but included many people along the way.
Lynn Heimsoth was an elementary school principal, and everything she did was for the students. She had a way to connect with kids and help others see each students’ strengths. She knew how to make you laugh when you were having a tough day and always helped even when help wasn't requested. She was strong, smart, generous, and kind. Lynn Heimsoth was an amazing human being.
Lynn was an incredible leader.
She had a vision for improving education, and she worked collaboratively with her staff to make that vision reality. She pushed us and held us to high standards, but she was always there to support us along the way.
She brought an urgency to the education of students.
She showed us how education is tied to justice and pointed us in a direction that puts social justice and equity at the center of our teaching.
She had many quotes that we all hang on to and inspired her staff. Two of our favorites are:
“You can do hard things.”
“It’s ok to be where you are; it's not ok to stay there. It’s not ok to stay there because kids’ lives are at stake.”
Lynn reached out to students who would have otherwise been left behind with her therapy dog Sukha
Most mornings, Lynn and Sukha would greet the students as they arrived in the morning, and it was common for students to be in her office reading books to Sukha during the day.
Lynn modeled so well how to have high expectations combined with loving, supportive relationships. Her feedback was honest and to the point. It was feedback that made us all better. If she wanted us to get from Point A to Point B, we needed to know exactly what her expectations were, and she told us without a doubt. She also knew that we would be more successful in making progress if we trusted her if we knew she genuinely cared about us, and if we knew that she had our backs. There was never any doubt that these things were true. It is this kind of modeling that helped every one of her staff members get better every day.
Lynn’s family and friends have partnered with the Whatcom Community Foundation to establish the Lynn Heimsoth Memorial Scholarship.
In memory of her drive for social justice and a strong belief in all students having the opportunity for higher education the scholarship will be awarded annually to a first-generation college student from the Bellingham school district that has been accepted to attend a four-year college.
