Meet Lynn Gudhus!

As part of our ongoing series Meet Our GDS Faculty and Staff, we are excited to present: Meet Lynn Gudhus!

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Lynn.

Primary Role: Pre-K–2nd Grade Learning Specialist

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Years at GDS: this is year 2

What do you love about GDS? 

I love the faculty and staff I get to work with each day. Everyone here is so curious, passionate about education, and so willing to learn and collaborate! 

Why do you do your job? 

I love working with students to help them figure out how they best learn and what their strengths and challenges are. I love teaching students how to access information or share what they've learned in different ways. I also love helping families understand more about how their children learn and providing strategies to help support them at home. 

A favorite part of your job?

I feel so much joy when our youngest students here at GDS experience the magic of learning how to read and seeing a whole new world open up for them! Also, it's just the best getting to spend time with Pre-K and Kindergarten students and witness their excitement each day!

Your work style in a few words?

I am a life-long learner so I'm always looking for new information, new ideas, and new resources as I do my job.

A top hope/wish for your students and/or colleagues?

I wish for my students (and colleagues) a love of reading for enjoyment! 

Personal passions/hobbies/pastimes?

In the summer, you can find me on my paddleboard going up and down the Potomac with my rescue dog, Griselda. She ends up in a lot of Instagram posts as we pass by people! If I'm not on the paddleboard, I'm probably on the Water Taxi that provides the most calm commute to and from the wharf (I highly recommend getting a season pass!) I also love the theater and usually have season tickets to Shakespeare Theater Company and The National. I've recently taken up pickleball and am a lapsed yogi looking to get back into it soon.

A few favorites…?

Favorite recipes: As a NYC girl, I really don't do a lot of cooking but in the winter I love making my lasagne soup (google it on The New York Times)!
Favorite movies: My favorite movie of all time has to be Princess Bride, but I will always stop and watch Best in Show if it pops up on the TV.
Favorite band: I don't know if I have a favorite band, but I'll always stop and dance a little if I hear an Abba song on the radio. Their music makes me smile.
Favorite countries I’ve traveled to: My partner and I went to Iceland while their volcano was active and currently erupting. We were able to hike up and get within a few feet of the fresh lava, which is an experience I'll always remember. Also, after college I lived in very rural Japan for a year and will always have an affection for that beautiful country. And when the soccer World Cup was in Korea, I was able to travel with the USA men's team all over that country which was quite the amazing opportunity!

Tell us about your family and/or pet(s).

I have an 8 year old rescued pit-bull named Grisleda who is always up for an adventure. If you see her on a paddleboard near King Street in Old Town Alexandria, say hi! She loves the attention!

One thing about yourself your students/colleagues/others probably don't know?

A long time ago, I sang backup for The Judds for one concert on their reunion tour and was on stage singing when the clock struck midnight and we ushered in the year 2000! 

One thing on your life "bucket list" you've already accomplished?

Living abroad was always on my bucket list and I was lucky enough to do that when I moved to Japan! Maybe there will be another opportunity again!

Something on your life “bucket list” you have yet to accomplish?

I would love to get to the Galapagos Islands and see the giant tortoises!