A true educator not only teaches their students, but acknowledges each one as an individual, listens to each one with undivided attention, and nurtures each one to their fullest potential. Every one of her students will agree that Carolyn Lee not only exemplifies the qualities of a true educator, she redefines them. As the teacher of AP and MYP Chemistry as well as a college-preparatory Anatomy class, a WASC Focus Group Chair, and the CHS Leadership Chair, Lee is among the most admired figures on campus. Channeling a love for her students that is almost maternal, she is a teacher who devotes countless hours and immense heart to every single one of her students. In class, during lunch, and even through Remind after-hours, Lee strives to answer every one of her students’ questions and guides them every step of the way so that no one is ever left behind.
One may be surprised to learn that Lee never planned to become a teacher. Originally, she majored in biology in college and was determined to become a nurse practitioner. She had completed all of the coursework, had been accepted into a master’s program for nursing, and was on route to the profession. However, a six month gap between her Bachelor’s and Master’s programs revealed a path she had never considered traversing: teaching.
“It’s very hard for me to just stay still, and instead of just taking a break for six months, I wanted to do something,” Lee said.
That “something” arose as a science teaching position at CHS, which was made known to her by a close friend working as an AVID tutor on campus. Curious and eager to explore new horizons, Lee seized the opportunity and discovered something she never expected to.
“I started [teaching] and I realized I really enjoyed working with students,” Lee said.
Enthralled by the experience, Lee began surveying programs for teaching credentials—even though her doubts told her otherwise.
“At first, I thought [this] was crazy…I had worked my butt off to be a nurse,” Lee said. “My whole dream was to have my own clinic and work with one of my friends, who’s a business major. We had this whole plan.”
Yet Lee committed herself to the pursuit and applied to several teaching credential programs. Unfortunately, she was informed that enrollment had closed for the following fall semester, but this did not faze her.
“I was like, ‘that’s fine’, because it was so late in the year,” Lee said. “So I was asking questions about spring and all of that, and I sent in all my information after talking to the admissions person…And then she called me a couple of weeks later and she said, ‘Could you come in for an interview? We have some spots for the fall if you’re interested.’”
At the interview, Lee was pleasantly surprised.
“I don’t know if they do this for everyone but on the spot, the interviewer was like, ‘I’d really like you to be a part of this next cohort, and I’d like to be your advisor,’” Lee said. “I was like, ‘oh, okay.’”
Upon receiving the offer, Lee evaluated her emotions before making a decision.
“I remember thinking about what I was more excited for—when I got my nursing school acceptances versus this,” Lee said. “And I was more excited about this whole idea of teaching. And so I was like, ‘you know what? I’m just going to switch really [at the] last minute and try this out and see how it goes’…and I think it’s the best last minute decision of my life.”
The latter statement is one that every one of her students would agree with—CHS is blessed to have such a dedicated and compassionate teacher as Mrs. Lee. Her love for the role confirms this sentiment.
“Being in a classroom has been so wonderful because I love working with all these students,” Lee said. “And I think, ‘would I have the same amount of joy being in a hospital?’ I don’t know, but I want to say no, because I just really enjoy the interactions and seeing you guys get excited about stuff. It’s very worthwhile for me.”
Lee goes on to explain how her sense of responsibility for her students goes beyond the classroom.
“I think about my students a lot,” Lee said. “When I’m at home, and I know that a student is struggling—they are on my mind. […] My biggest issue is that I [am constantly] think[ing] about my students. If they have questions, I have to be there and present for them.”
Lee mentioned that even her husband finds her commitment somewhat overwhelming.
”My husband always tells me to just chill,” Lee said. “He says they’ll be okay. But I’m like ‘no!’ I feel like I have to respond and be there for them.”
Even though her students never leave her mind, Lee has experienced moments of internal conflict over the extent of her dedication. Being as equally wonderful as a teacher and a mother, and Lee has had and still has to navigate the challenges of committing to both roles.
“When I first had my kids, I had a moment where [I thought] maybe I should take some time off of work,” Lee said. “Because I felt…in a weird sense, obsessed with my kids—I just want to be here for my babies.”
The demands of motherhood are taxing to say the least, and Lee recalls feeling drained during the early stages of this chapter.
“My emotional capacity [had] run dry,” Lee said. “And so I thought, maybe I need to take time off to focus on [my children].”
Timely enough, COVID quarantine began at this point and Lee reflects upon its advantages as a new mother.
“COVID was so difficult, but one of the nice things for me was that I got to be home with my newborn,” Lee said. “I think finding that balance was really hard in the beginning after I had my own kids.”
This is likely due to her love for every one of her students, which also manifests in the advice she gives to them.
“Enjoy your time,” Lee said. “Your four years in high school—some students hate it—but it’s a precious growing time. Especially to seniors, really cherish this last year with your friends and [really enjoy] the next four to eight years, whether it is going to college or going into the workforce. You don’t get a time like this—I know you guys feel really stressed out and you feel like you have to do all these extra things—but once things really get rolling post-college, it’s really hard to take a step back and breathe. So every moment where you can have some fun with your friends and just enjoy being young and having free time and exploring—take it.”
She also urges students to put their health first and to feed their fascination.
“Take the [good night’s] rest,” Lee said. “You guys have such little sleep and it worries me a lot. Your health is important. Also, you’re never going to be as energetic and excited about things as now, so jump into the things you’re interested in.”
When asked about the most influential woman in her life, Lee responded that it is definitely her mother.
“When I was in high school, I thought this lady was crazy, but now I see [everything] she does,” Lee said. “She takes care of everyone around her and if I’m half of who she is in…in the sense of the capacity of [how] she is with myself and my brother, how she takes care of her parents now, she takes care of my dad, all of her friends…That woman’s phone is going off constantly—like how [is she] more popular than I am?
“She is someone I really look up to because she is someone who has really mastered this whole thing of balance,” Lee said. “I look up to her immensely.”
Lee adds that seeing fellow women in STEM also touches her heart.
”I think any woman in science is just so inspirational,” Lee said. “I just love reading about women [who] are making huge strides in the world of science. You just don’t see it as much…we’re doubted so much as females, unfortunately.”
Lee’s allegiance to her students, simultaneous devotion to her family, and status as a woman in STEM amplifies her influence as an inspirational figure on campus. Supportive, relatable, and empathetic, Lee can only be considered an icon when it comes to her empowerment of students at Claremont High School.
