Mary Lynn B. Reese

 A native of Thomson, Georgia, Middle School Dean of Students Mary Lynn B. Reese, a 1987 Briarwood graduate, earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University in 1991. 

             Mrs. Reese has been a member of the staff at Briarwood Academy for over thirty-two years and will begin her 35th year of teaching this year.  She taught first grade for three years, filled in and finished the year teaching 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.  Mrs. Reese taught health, elementary, and middle school physical education.  She also taught computer classes for many years in elementary, middle, and high school.  Mrs. Reese began her middle school math journey in 2006 and continues to teach at that level.   In addition to being a teacher, Mrs. Reese coached Mighty Bucs, middle school, and varsity competition and sideline cheer for thirty years.  She coached middle school basketball and track.  Mrs. Reese and Mrs. DeMore have co-coached the varsity Lady Bucs track team for many years.  Her honors include coaching a region championship track team in 2019, being named Georgia Independent School Association Region 4AA Coach of the Year, and being selected two times to coach the GISA North/South All-Star Cheer team. Mrs. Reese has planned and organized Homecoming festivities since she began in the fall of 1993. She was awarded the WJBF Golden Apple Award in the fall of 2024.

             In her first year as Middle School Dean of Students, Mrs. Reese is excited to work closely with students, families, and staff to ensure that every learner feels valued, heard, and successful both academically and socially. She is committed to helping students grow through practices, clear expectations, and strong relationships.  Mrs. Reese began her journey at Briarwood in the fall of 1974 as a kindergarten student and remains deeply connected to the Briarwood family. Middle school is where character is shaped—and she is honored to help guide that journey.

             Mrs. Reese and her husband, Jay, a 1987 Briarwood graduate, have four sons and one bonus son:  Dalton, a Briarwood honor graduate ‘12 and Carson Newman University graduate ‘16, Dakota, married to Abby Swint, is a Briarwood honor graduate ‘16 and Life University Magna Cum Laude graduate ‘22, Dylan, a Briarwood honor graduate ‘18 and Georgia Southern University graduate ‘22, Dax, a Briarwood honor graduate ‘22 and senior at the University of Georgia, and Mason Poss, a Briarwood graduate ‘25 and freshman at Maryville College.  The Reese family resides in Warrenton, Georgia.