FACULTY/STAFF FEATURE

Over the past four years, Lynn Giovannelli, Director of Advancement, has elevated Groves through meaningful relationships, strategic philanthropy, community building, exceptional leadership, passion for literacy and equity, positive energy, and a perspective of abundance. Groves is in a better place today because of Lynn and her dedication to creating community and raising philanthropic support to fuel the important work at Groves of transforming lives through education. Among many things, Lynn’s involvement in helping to grow Groves Literacy Partnerships® through a data driven approach to philanthropy has positively affected the lives of thousands of teachers, students, and their families in our community. Lynn hired Groves’ first grant writer, Kay Gray, to help identify new partners for growth, and in conjunction with the leadership at Groves catapulted this program into a thriving catalyst for change. Lynn has also enjoyed working on the annual Groves Gala and seeing it expand its reach and quality. Lynn has loved working with the amazing Groves Gala committees throughout the years. When Lynn was asked about her time at Groves, she said her favorite part has been building deep and lasting relationships with all of the people who make Groves, Groves, and helping each person on the Advancement team focus on their strengths to level up to the next chapter in their career. “This has been the job of my dreams. I knew I would retire in this position, I just didn’t think it would be so soon,” Lynn shared. After an unexpected and difficult diagnosis of ALS in July of 2020, Lynn is pursuing healing and is focusing her time on her wellness journey. Lynn will continue to spend her time as an active community member, sports fan, and friend to many. She does all of this with her incredible family by her side including her husband, Gino, and their three sons Marco, Luca, and Stefano. If you’d like to get in touch with Lynn, please contact the Advancement team at 952-915-4269 or advancement@grovesacademy.org.

Lynn Giovannelli

A Groves Champion who will be missed

"Lynn Giovannelli is that extremely rare combination of exceptional leader, outstanding and passionate ambassador, and most importantly, deeply wonderful human being. She is, and will remain one of the singularly best people I know and her impact on my life, and that of Groves will resonate and reverberate well beyond her tenure. Generations of students will sow the seeds of literacy she helped plant in the years and decades to come and there isn't enough gratitude in the world for that.”

-Dan Morgan President, Groves Academy

Could you share some of your various roles at Groves?

I have had many different positions at Groves over the years including: tutor, Response to Intervention (RTI) teacher in the school, Literacy Specialist in Public Schools (before Groves Literacy Partnerships® existed), Lower School classroom teacher, Math Coach, Diagnostician with Diagnostics (before The Learning Center was formed), Literacy Specialist with GLP, Tutor Coach in The Learning Center, I finished my career at Groves as a RTI Literacy Specialist for the Lower School. For those unfamiliar, response to intervention (RTI) includes tracking student growth and benchmark testing of students. We support and coach teachers and students. We also work with students who need extra help when we receive a referral from the classroom teacher. We help to focus on each individual student and create a plan to support them in and out of the classroom. It has been humbling and amazing to see the growth and the changes that have taken place at Groves during my 14 year tenure.

Jean Hayward

We want to thank Jean for her incredible contribution and wish her well in her retirement.

What is your favorite part of your role at Groves?

The highlight of my work has been working with staff and students to provide meaningful learning experiences.

What are some of your favorite moments while working at Groves?

There is nothing like seeing new Groves students come in as non-readers and leave Groves as confident readers. Interacting with students over the years and benchmarking their progress has been extremely rewarding.

In what ways have you seen Groves change over the years?

As I review the positions I have held at Groves over the past 14 years, I realized that I have helped to pioneer different initiatives and now see how the programs I worked with have grown and developed into the three branches of the Groves organization.

If you could describe Groves in one word what would it be?

Growth - in size and scope as well as the professional development to help teachers grow and transfer knowledge into student growth.

What makes Groves a special place?

Groves focuses on students’ individual needs to make each learning experience truly student-focused.

What will you miss the most about Groves?

I will miss the challenge of exploring and determining the best way to provide learning experiences for teachers, students and their families.

What are you looking forward to in your retirement?

Traveling and spending time with my children and grandchildren.

“Jean is a true ‘master teacher.’ Jean has made a huge impact on both students and teachers through her work at Groves. In addition to all her work to promote literacy instruction, she led our three year implementation of Singapore Math in the Lower School.

We will miss her terribly. Best of luck, Jean!”

- Ellen Engstrom, Groves Academy Director of Curriculum