Teacher Lynn Bare with a gray, blue, and red Patriots shirt in front of a painted PATRIOTS mural

After three decades of dedicated service to the Alamance-Burlington School System, beloved English teacher Lynn Bare is retiring from Southern Alamance High School.

A Southern Patriot herself, Bare graduated from the high school in 1984 before earning her English degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Though her original plan was to pursue a career in business, Bare found her true calling was in the classroom.

Teacher Lynn Bare sitting on brick stairwell with her high school class around her on the stepsBare began her teaching career at Southern Alamance in August 1994, after completing a two-year process to obtain her teaching license. For 29 of her 30 years at the school, she served as the advisor for the award-winning yearbook, The Southerner.

Teacher Lynn Bare standing in front of a painted PATRIOTS mural with three of her high school studentsBeyond the yearbook, Bare took on numerous leadership roles, acting as a department chair, National Honor Society advisor, and mentor to countless students over the years. Her impact has been multi-generational, with both of her children graduating from Southern Alamance High. Her oldest child has even followed in her footsteps as a current teacher at the school.

Lynn Bare, wearing a gray t-shirt, with her son, currently a teacher at Southern Alamance High School, wearing a green t-shirtAs she embarks on this new chapter, Bare looks forward to becoming a first-time grandmother, traveling (with a trip to Salem, Massachusetts for The Crucible at the top of her list), and enjoying ample pool time.

"Ms. Bare has left an indelible mark on generations of Southern Patriots through her passion for teaching," said the school principal. "Southern will miss you, but we are beyond thankful for your dedication and love of teaching!"