Page 57 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2024 - Online Magazine

SENIOR 2 SENIOR

At Texas Tech, Mr. Reynolds
discovered that the classes
he was taking in history and
German complemented how his
brain worked. He fell in love
with history, which inspired him
to pursue a master’s degree.
While pursuing his master’s,
Mr. Reynolds became a teaching
assistant for the Department of
History, which is what ultimately led him to realize that the
part he loved most about his job was mentoring students and Historic Cactus Theater
teaching.
1812 Buddy Holly • CactusTheater.com
Mr. Reynolds sought an outlet for his passion and ended
up applying to become a teacher, even without his teaching Confirmed Shows!
certification. Lubbock ISD hired him, and his certificate
followed. One thing he was certain about was that, whatever FEBRUARY
he ended up doing in life, he wanted it to have meaning. He
did not want to be a “paper-pusher”; he wanted to have and 23...Cactus Classic Cinema:
create purpose in his life and the lives of others. “Love Story” (1970) Ryan O’Neal

In class, Mr. Reynolds gives two types of lectures: 1) the MARCH
“Dad” lectures, and 2) the curriculum lectures. Everyone 1...Jason Boland - Texas Country
who has had Mr. Reynolds agrees that his curriculum
lectures are unparalleled in terms of quality and effort. Yet, 7...Satisfaction: Int’l Rolling Stones
the “Dad” lectures are the lessons that stick with students Touring Tribute
the longest. My two biggest take-aways from the “Dad” 8...Twitty & Lynn: A Tribute to
lectures are: “Always be open to where life takes you and
what opportunities present themselves,” and “Always be Conway and Loretta
a good person with a strong moral code.” Mr. Reynolds 13...Cactus Classic Cinema:
connects with students on an individual level that allows “The Quiet Man” (1952) John Wayne
each student’s personality to be fully expressed. He does this
by being himself. He jokes with us, asks how we are doing, 15...Noise Pollution - Top Touring
remembers little details about our lives, and goes above and Tribute to AC/DC
beyond to make us smile. Mr. Reynolds is a once in a lifetime 20...Cactus Classic Cinema:
teacher whom I have a tremendous respect for.
“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
Mr. Reynolds teaches students how to think, not what to Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
think. He arrives at school every morning at 7:30 and does
not leave until 5:00 p.m. to remain accessible to students. He 22...Celtic Angels: Traditional Irish
curates his curriculum to include relevant and interesting 27: Jimmie Vaughan: Texas Blues
information that students want to learn. He employs
Socratic discussions and free-response quizzes and tests. 29: Jimmie Dale Gilmore with
Mr. Reynolds also understands the busy lives of high school special guest West Texas Exiles
students, between homework, sports, and jobs. He gives
in-class time to work on assignments and works with other APRIL
teachers to make sure his students are always prepared for 5...Electric Ave: ’80s MTV Experience
all their tests. He is also one of the best writers and thinkers
I have encountered. This past semester, I struggled writing 9...The National Parks...Americana
my personal statement and other essays for college, and Mr. 10...Cactus Classic Cinema:
Reynolds was quick to offer advice and guidance.
Disney’s “Fantasia” (1940)
Mr. Reynolds deserves every award and recognition 12...Texas Songwriters Special:
available for his commitment to his students and school. I Bruce Robison & John Fullbright
want to follow in his footsteps of creating a meaningful life,
being open to every opportunity, thinking critically, and 14...Corb Lund: El Viejo Release Tour
making everyone around me laugh and smile.

Lubbock Senior Link 57