Lyn Wiggins Gabrielsen was born and raised in Georgia, where she knew at the early age of 10 that she wanted to be a teacher! She taught the neighborhood children how to diagram sentences and “graded” her stuffed animals on their appearance and behavior. Yes, she had a real chalkboard and an actual green grading book. She spent four years at Berry College in Rome, GA, and studied English and Education under some of the finest teachers. After graduating in 1988, she began teaching at her alma mater, First Presbyterian Day School in Macon, GA. In 2001, Lyn married Jimmy Gabrielsen and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and began serving on PTO boards. No longer in the classroom, Lyn channeled her love for teaching by supporting and celebrating the teachers and staff in her children’s schools. Now, after 15 years and three schools later, she has established Hearts for Educators: Celebrating SJCSD Teachers and Staff. Through her work with her children’s PTO’s, Lyn has seen first hand the impact that food and fellowship have on the morale of teachers and staff in our schools. She’s learned that it is incredibly important to support, value, and celebrate these men and women who pour into our children. Lyn’s focus now is on the 12 Title One and 2 grant funded schools in our District. Her goal is to provide as many events as possible for each of these schools through her foundation as well as local restaurants and business in kind donations and support.