From the Farm to the Classroom

Posted On

March 12, 2026

Topics

Philanthropy

Profiles

On a snowy Monday in late February, while much of Boston waited out the storm indoors, Lillian “Lily” Owen ’27 was outside shoveling walkways on Emmanuel College’s campus.

By 9 a.m., she was already bundled up and working alongside members of the Facilities team. By 8 p.m., she was still there — clearing paths and helping prepare campus for the next day.

It was a long shift. And she was sore. But for Owen, that kind of work feels familiar. She grew up understanding that meaningful work is communal — and rarely done alone.

“A big part of who I am comes from growing up on my family’s farm,” she said.

Now a junior double majoring in Secondary Education and History, Owen is preparing for a future in the classroom. Along the way, support from the Lynch Scholarship has helped make that path possible.

“The biggest impact of the scholarship has been not having financial stress,” Owen said. “It allows me to focus on becoming the best teacher I can be.”

Rooted in Community

Owen grew up in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, just outside Concord, on Owen Farm, an organic learning farm started by her grandparents.

Through the international WWOOF program — World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms — visitors from around the world come to live and work on the farm, learning about sustainable agriculture.

“We always had people coming from different countries,” Owen said. “My grandparents and my dad would teach them about sustainable farming and how we did things.”

The farm focuses less on large-scale production than on shared learning and stewardship. There are sheep, horses, goats, chickens, and occasional pigs, along with vegetable gardens and a raspberry patch. Schools visit for field trips, and exchange students sometimes stay for extended periods.

Education was woven into daily life. Without realizing it at the time, Owen was growing up in a community centered on teaching.

Becoming the Teacher She Needed

Owen’s decision to pursue education was shaped by her own experience as a student.

“School wasn’t always my favorite place,” she said candidly. “It just wasn’t really my thing.”

What made the difference were teachers who helped her see learning differently.

“I want to be the teacher I needed,” she said. “Adolescence is such an important time. It’s hard — and it can shape the rest of your life.”

She plans to teach high school history, helping students better understand the forces that shape the present. Her father is also a teacher, a quiet influence that helped reinforce her interest in the profession.

Now in her junior year, Owen is gaining hands-on classroom experience through Emmanuel’s pre-practicum placements. Last semester she worked with middle school students at Quincy Catholic Academy. This semester she is teaching at Revere High School.

“I love it there,” she said.

Each placement brings her closer to her full practicum next fall — and to the classroom she hopes to lead someday.

A Campus Community

At Emmanuel, Owen has found community in an unexpected place: the Facilities Department.

She works in a role that includes office responsibilities, as well as hands-on work helping with event setups and campus operations. Some mornings begin early, preparing rooms before classes begin. During snowstorms, the work becomes more demanding.

“Working in Facilities has made Emmanuel feel like home,” she said.

Through the department, Owen has built strong relationships with staff members across campus — from custodial teams to dining services and operations staff.

“They’ve made it feel like such a safe community,” she said. “I’ve gotten to know so many people who work behind the scenes.”

Watching Facilities staff work through major storms — sometimes staying overnight to keep walkways clear — has given her a deeper appreciation for the dedication required to keep a college running.

The Impact of the Lynch Scholarship

Financial support has played an important role in Owen’s ability to fully engage in her studies.

The Lynch Scholarship, she said, has eased the pressure many students feel when balancing work and academics.

“Not having that financial burden means I can spend more time on coursework, lesson planning, and preparing for my practicum,” she said.

That preparation matters. Teaching requires careful planning, reflection, and creativity — all of which take time and focus. The scholarship has given Owen the space to invest in that process.

As she looks ahead, she is also considering Emmanuel’s accelerated 4+1 master’s program in education, which would allow her to complete a graduate degree in just one additional year.

“It’s a big decision,” she said. “But I’m thinking about it.”

Next fall, Owen will begin her full student-teaching practicum — a major milestone on the path toward becoming an educator.

The student who grew up welcoming learners to her family’s farm is now preparing to lead a classroom of her own.

With the support of the Lynch Scholarship — and a campus community that feels like home — she is building the skills and confidence to guide the next generation of students.

“I want to be the teacher who makes school feel possible for someone,” she said.

Lily, center, with members of the Facilities team.