Distance Learning K-1 Teacher

Linda L.B. Hinze (Retired) K-12 Special Educator                                   

Get Outdoors Nevada Nature Education Volunteer

Certified Interpretive Guide, NAI

Eldorado High School Garden Project

Horticulture & Outdoor Garden Classrooms

Rural Minnesota native and product of a one room country school. Every morning began with prayer, the pledge and a song. Next, was a long bus ride into Rochester, where I attended Holy Cross Lutheran School through 8th grade. I graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971.

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from Utah State University. I had a partial scholarship for Livestock Judging and Husbandry, 1977.

My first Masters of Science was from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus in Ruminant Nutrition with minors in Agronomy & Statistics, 1981. 

My second Masters of Science was earned at University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Education with an emphasis in Special Education, K-12, 1997.

I completed my studies at NOVA in Educational Leadership and was presented with an Educational Specialist Advanced degree, 2003.

The question most asked; why did I retire when I did?

A simple 4 letter word; Lyla! 

We were blessed with a granddaughter in 2016. Lyla and her mother live with us and it has truly been a blessing. I was able to build and maintain a teaching schedule to accommodate the majority of Lyla’s daily care. 

It was quite easy to retire so I could “Make Oma Memories”, tend her, read to her, hike with her, garden with her, etc. Just like I was able to with her mom and my other children.

My summer call of inquiry to Little Lambs pre-school was in search of a small, faith-based, positive learning environment for her. Just a few structured hours offering creative playtime, Bible stories, kinder readiness skills, interactive social skills, with other little ones…and now I get to share my skills with your students! 

I was born and raised in South Seattle and enjoyed a wonderful childhood full of outdoor activities. I especially enjoyed boating, water skiing and swimming in the local lakes and camping and skiing in the mountains. It was love at first sight when I visited Lake Mead and decided to retire here. I kept several boats at the marina until a stroke made boating too difficult.

I moved to California to attend college and never left. I attended college at UCLA, married and had three kids. I worked nights at the phone company when my kids were small and started teaching for Long Beach Unified when they were teenagers. I remained there for 25 years as a special education teacher.

I have a Liberal Arts Degree and a Masters in Instructional Education. I still hold California credentials in Elementary Education, K-8; Special-education, PreK-12; and certificates in Learning Handicapped, Autism and Early Childhood.

I worked one year for CCSD in the Early Childhood Autism program before a spider bite put me in the hospital for 4 months and required several surgeries on my foot. Going back to chasing 3-year-olds seemed unlikely. Oddly enough, that hospital time put me in touch with lots of Boulder City seniors who needed in-home care. I was asked to help. That led to senior-care, pet sitting and tutoring....things I could easily do while using a walker. It was just word of mouth and I found myself very busy. 

Since the shutdown, I have been homeschooling and tutoring on Zoom. When I learned about the homeschooling program Jessica is setting up, I thought she might need some help.

I am active in the Methodist Church, the Elks, the Community Club, Nevadans for the Common Good, Open Table (helping aged-out foster children to transition into independent living), Women in Support of Women in Boulder City, the Senior Center, the Red Hat Ladies and The Boulder City Republican Women.

Ms. Szafranski moved from Washington State to Las Vegas in 2003. She graduated from UNLV with a degree in Elementary Education in 2011, which is the same year she moved to Boulder City. She is a licensed K-8 teacher with the state of Nevada and spent 5 years teaching for the Clark County School District, where she was a co-grade level chair. After her time with the district, she decided to move to the charter school system. She spent 3 years teaching at Pinecrest Academy, Horizon campus, where she was the Kindergarten Lead. Ms. Szafranski transitioned out of teaching full time a few years ago to focus her efforts on her real estate career. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys running, hiking, paddle boarding, and skiing (water and snow). She has two energetic boys of her own who keep her on her toes.