Lynn McLaughlin

She/Her/Hers

Lynn is a mom first, an educator for over 30 years and a spouse. With three grown children, Lynn has seen personally and professionally the power of what thought can do - both positively and detrimentally, on families, students and school communities. Diagnosed with a brain tumour, Lynn had to navigate this life-threatening illness hersefl, focussing on healing and living a healthier life. She cares deeply about what she can give back to the world.

Drawing on their vast combined experience in education. psychology and social work, Lynn and her niece Amber (Master of Social Work) have now created a board game titled, "The Power of Thought | Life is Like a Game, Are You Ready? The scenarios included in the game are based on real-life experiences shared by children/youth, "We're going out to dinner tonight. I don't like crowds" The question then prompts the player to think of what they would do in this situation. Karma, Duel Challenge, Cop Out and Oops cards make the game fun and unpredictable while cultivating confidence, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness. It has gone through 3 rounds of trials with students in classrooms, families and clinicians. The prototype is now ready to share.

Lynn is an experienced educator who has served as Superintendent, Principal, Vice-Principal, Teacher, and Educational Consultant. She has taught age groups from early years through post-secondary for over 30 years, with a passion for special education and mental health.

Lynn is also a best-selling and award-winning author. She has most recently co-authored "The Power of Thought" children's book series advocating for a proactive approach to children and youth well-being. The childlike beings in the books cannot hide their emotions because they haven’t learned to control them yet. They glow in the colour of how they are feeling. Each book in the series introduces a conflict that every child can relate to and teaches a different evidence-based strategy they can use, and adults can model. Lynn has also published books in fiction (Jackson, She'll Do Anything to Save Her Son) and non-fiction (Steering Through It. Navigating Life-Threatening Illness).

With almost five years hosting the podcast "Taking the Helm," Lynn's guests also share expertise and insights on how we can better prepare our children and youth for challenges that will surely come. She is an accomplished speaker, engaging audiences locally, provincially, and internationally. She currently works in schools offering, "Heart Matters" for parent engagement evenings and educator workshops.

Actively involved in her community, Lynn is a member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and is a Rotarian.

Lynn is a mom first, an educator for over 30 years and a spouse. With three grown children, Lynn has seen personally and professionally the power of what thought can do - both positively and detrimentally, on families, students and school communities. Diagnosed with a brain tumour, Lynn had to navigate this life-threatening illness hersefl, focussing on healing and living a healthier life. She cares deeply about what she can give back to the world. Drawing on their vast combined experience in education. psychology and social work, Lynn and her niece Amber (Master of Social Work) have now created a board game titled, "The Power of Thought | Life is Like a Game, Are You Ready? The scenarios included in the game are based on real-life experiences shared by children/youth, "We're going out to dinner tonight. I don't like crowds" The question then prompts the player to think of what they would do in this situation. Karma, Duel Challenge, Cop Out and Oops cards make the game fun and unpredictable while cultivating confidence, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness. It has gone through 3 rounds of trials with students in classrooms, families and clinicians. The prototype is now ready to share. Lynn is an experienced educator who has served as Superintendent, Principal, Vice-Principal, Teacher, and Educational Consultant. She has taught age groups from early years through post-secondary for over 30 years, with a passion for special education and mental health. Lynn is also a best-selling and award-winning author. She has most recently co-authored "The Power of Thought" children's book series advocating for a proactive approach to children and youth well-being. The childlike beings in the books cannot hide their emotions because they haven’t learned to control them yet. They glow in the colour of how they are feeling. Each book in the series introduces a conflict that every child can relate to and teaches a different evidence-based strategy they can use, and adults can model. Lynn has also published books in fiction (Jackson, She'll Do Anything to Save Her Son) and non-fiction (Steering Through It. Navigating Life-Threatening Illness). With almost five years hosting the podcast "Taking the Helm," Lynn's guests also share expertise and insights on how we can better prepare our children and youth for challenges that will surely come. She is an accomplished speaker, engaging audiences locally, provincially, and internationally. She currently works in schools offering, "Heart Matters" for parent engagement evenings and educator workshops. Actively involved in her community, Lynn is a member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and is a Rotarian.

Fun Facts

Lynn went sky diving with her brother-in-law while family waited on the ground. She was first in line but lost her nerve temporarily. She found her courage and was the last one to jump.

Lynn was the Executive Officer of a Naval Reserve Unit in Ontario, one of the first women to ever serve in this role.

Lynn lead a team that introduced a reading intervention program to a school board of 35,000 students. Those with learning disabilities now have this intervention available in every elementary school.