Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
STEPHENS, Lesley
STEPHENS, Lesley. (Unknown--Dubuque, IA, June 23, 2020). Lesley Stephens was one of the marchers in the 1965 march in Montgomery. Social justice was Lesley’s hallmark.
In 1970, Lesley joined the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT as a District-level reading consultant supporting elementary schools; her next move was to Kennedy Elementary School as a Learning Resource Center teacher.
The 1974-1975 landmark federal special education legislation brought students with special needs back to their home school districts. Lesley Stephens became the principal of Franklin Elementary School (site of the former Central Alternative School) and the Anne Sullivan School (attached to Hills and Dales Child Development Center). She was the administrator who pioneered the development of District programming for students with special needs. She was instrumental in designing the school, developing the curriculum, and selecting and training the staff.
Lesley established the Helen Keller School at EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and in 1983 and served as its principal.
In 1989, Lesley became principal of Bryant Elementary School and continuing there for 17 years. In the 1990s, Lesley led Bryant to become one of four Expeditionary Learning schools as that teaching and learning design was starting to emerge across the country.
Lesley’s volunteer leadership at ST. LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Over the years, she chaired almost every administrative committee; personally co-led a make-the-church-shine project; contributed her decorating talents by adorning the sanctuary; trained new custodians; and served on a Food for the Soul team.
Following 36 years in the Dubuque Community School District, Lesley officially retired in 2006.
She served as an interim District administrator for the Western Dubuque Community School District; volunteered as a receptionist at the Babka Center, FINLEY HOSPITAL (THE); was elected to the DCSD Board of Education, serving from 2008-2011; and until her death remained active on the Advisory Board of Finley Hospital and on a Dubuque County Foster Care Review Board. Lesley loved helping others.
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Source:
"Longtime Former Dubuque Principal Dies at Age 76," THonline. https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_e60aa2ff-9f34-5a2f-82c8-c458b8a8e763.html