Huron native has Texas school named after her

HURON — Lois Lindsey grew up as a Huron Tiger and learned a love for education in the school district. Now, and for the past 10 years, her status as a beloved educator in her new home state led to a tremendous honor: A new school bearing her name. Last week, the Allen Independent Schools, located in her current home state of Texas, hosted a 10th anniversary celebration of the Lois Lindsey Elementary School, located in McKinney, Texas. "It was a surprise. I felt absolutely wonderful and a little humble," Lindsey said, recalling when she first learned the building would be named after her. "We had never named a school after a teacher before." Lois Lindsey Elementary School in McKinney, Texas, is named after a former Huron teacher and native to the area. Photo provided/ALLEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS On Feb. 16, 10 years after its doors first opened, the district recognized Lindsey and the school with an anniversary celebration. All students from the district were invited along with friends, relatives and other former teachers. Lindsey said the district makes a point to turn events such as this over to its students. To do this, the current senior class president gave a speech, and there were three performances made by current juniors and seniors. Lindey also shared a few words at the celebration. She spoke directly to the students and reminded them about her and the school's objectives. She said she always pushed for a kind and comfortable school that has respect and high academics. Lindsey believes the district has stuck to these goals throughout its 10 years of operation. 'The path I wanted to go down' Lindsey grew up in Huron and graduated from Huron High School in 1955. "Huron was fantastic," Lindsey said. "It's a great place to raise a family with the beach nearby and the great school system. I'm sure it's just as great as when I was there." The reason Lindsey decided to go into education was because of Huron Schools. "I decided to go into education when I was in elementary school," Lindsey said. "I was in love with all of my teachers and knew from an early age that it was the path I wanted to go down." To fulfill her teaching dream, she studied at Ohio State University and earned a master's degree in Reading Specialization from Kent State University in 1969. Lindsey started her career at Huron Schools with first and fifth-grade students. She was a resource teacher and assisted new teachers with lesson plans and ideas. Her further impact on the community included serving as president and member of the negotiating team of the Huron Local Education Association. She was also a Sunday school teacher for years. After 19 years at Huron, Lindsey moved to Texas. She taught for the Pasadena Independent School District for a year, then moved to Allen Independent School District where she spent the remainder of her career. Lindsey said she taught mostly first grade but also taught reading to seventh through ninth grade. She said her favorite part of teaching during her first year in Texas was helping students who were behind on their reading levels. Overall, however, she enjoyed her fifth-grade students from Huron the most. "Fifth grade was my favorite. I absolutely loved them," Lindsey said. "They were able to do things on their own and that is the way I like to teach." After retiring in 2006, Lindsey stayed connected to her Texas school district. According to Barbara Jones, Lindsey's sister, and the elementary school's website, she continues to support students through the Allen Retired Teachers Association and reads teacher-approved books to classrooms several times a week. Lindsey also joined the district's board of trustees in 2007. The decision to join was one she made early on in her career. "When I was in Huron, I knew I wanted to be on the board when I retired," Lindsey said. "I wanted to be able to make the decisions that were made at that level." Jones said Lindsey believes there is an advantage to having former teachers on the board. Teachers are the ones who are familiar with district needs. Lindsey retired from the board at the end of her second term in 2013. In the same year, the district honored her by building Lois Lindsey Elementary School and opening its doors to its first students. 'She is like a rock star' Justin Spies, Lois Lindsey Elementary School's principal, heaped praise on the school's namesake. "The school board chooses the names of all of our campuses based on input from the community of those who have made a tremendous contribution to the district," Spies said. To summarize her work, he said Lindsey was a teacher at Reed Elementary, another school in their district, for 23 years. She then went on to serve the district as a whole on the school board for two terms. "She has always had a passion for students and teachers," Spies said. "Wanting to ensure that they have everything they need to be successful, not only in the classroom, but after they leave school as well." Spies said Lindsey has always been a major part of the school's campus. Every year, she reads a book to every classroom in the school of 820 students, and added that she is a fixture at school events: She is a season ticket holder for the high school football games, and always makes appearances at district meet the teacher events, open houses, science nights, PTA meetings and award ceremonies. Lindsey will often write notes to students who excel in district events. "She helps us craft our campus improvement plan as a member of the community and sets the vision for the work that we do here," Spies said. "She is like a rock star with the students, staff and parents. Everyone wants their picture made with her." Spies described Lindsey as a beloved figure of the district due to her connection to its students. "Her contributions to the students of Allen, and other places, have been tremendous," Spies said. "There is no counting the literal thousands of students' lives she has changed with her impact."