Former Norman High School teacher and principal Lynne Chesley is remembered by friends and colleagues for her character and 40-year education career.
Chesley died on Aug. 24 at Clarehouse hospice center in Tulsa, the Norman Transcript reports.
Born in Coffeyville, Kansas, Chesley grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Edison High School in 1968.
She graduated from OU in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in language arts, and again in 1973 with a master’s in reading education.
Chesley began her career as an English teacher at Del City High School in 1971, where she served for 10 years. She taught English at Norman High School for the next 16 years.
She received her doctorate in educational leadership from OU in 1995, and was named assistant principal at Norman High School the following year.
In 2000, Chesley was named principal by former Norman Public Schools Superintendent Joe Siano, who now serves as the associate executive director for the Oklahoma State School Board Association.
He remembers Chesley as a “tremendous educator” who was passionate about students and faculty.
“You have to inspire people to do the best that they can and she was just a master at that,” Siano said.
In 2007, Chesley was named Principal of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals.
Even as a principal, Chesley continued to find opportunities to be in the classroom by teaching ACT prep courses.
She served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cleveland County, a student mentorship program, and the district’s staff development committee.
After 40 years in education, Chesley retired in 2011. At the time, Chesley spoke to the Norman Transcript about her retirement and experience in public education.
“I’m an English teacher who stepped out of the box for a while. I guess I’ve never given up just being a teacher,” Chesley told the Norman Transcript. “I still feel like I’m a teacher back in Room 140.”
Chesley’s plans after retirement included spending time with her family and traveling.
“Norman Public Schools mourns the loss of Lynne Chesley, a beloved educator and leader,” Carrie Burkhart, chief information officer for Norman Public Schools, wrote in an email to the OU Daily.
“She inspired countless teachers and students with her wisdom, humor, and unwavering dedication to excellence,” Burkhart wrote. “Her legacy lives on through the invaluable lessons and encouragement she imparted to all who had the privilege of working with her.”
According to Burkhart, Chesley’s impact through servant leadership and dedication was immeasurable.
“You can tell that she just loved the work that she was doing,” Siano said.
Chesley encouraged the teachers who worked for her and prioritized students, Siano said. She was passionate about her job.
“You go into the room and you do magic. You know you’re building on something for the future,” Chesley told the Norman Transcript before retiring. “It’s a wonderful life.”
Chesley is succeeded by her children, Scott and Allison White; her grandson, Harrison White; and her sisters, Amy Meyer, Kay Williamson and Debbie Cordill. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Donna Scott.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ana Barboza and Ismael Lele. Geethika Kollu and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.