Hazel Haley (1916-2008) - the nation's longest-serving public school teacher

A slightly belated tribute to Hazel Haley, the nation's longest-serving public school teacher, as well as "Motivational speaker, media darling, actor, stage manager, theater-founder and world traveler." In 2006, Miss Haley received the most votes in an online poll was the topic of of the "CBS Evening News" interactive feature "Assignment America." My friend (and Miss Haley's relative) Mary Haley used to mention her quite often. (I'm sure she will continue to!) The below is from The Ledger.

From the spray of delicate roses to mourners' suits, Haley's favorite shade dotted the First United Methodist Church on Monday. Even the punch at the reception was a frothy coral, served from tables draped in pink satin with matching napkins.

The eulogies were just as uplifting - a testimony to 69 years of teaching and 91 years of experience.

Haley, thought to be the country's longest-serving teacher, died last week with a cup of tea by her side.

The death of the longtime Lakeland High teacher seemed to spur more stories than tears and the occasional chuckle Monday as about 500 people gathered to celebrate her life, most of them standing at one point in the service for a symbolic, last "Thank you, Miss Haley.''

"Some would say it's too bad she didn't have children. But look, she had over 13,000 ...,'' said the Rev. David McEntire. "She taught us more than English, words and grammar ... She was indeed a gift.''

Hazel Hunter Haley was remembered for her opinions and an ability to build trust in colleagues and students. She loved to travel, particularly to her beloved England. Before her death she was planning another trip abroad, a friend said, along with wondering "whether Hillary had a chance.''

Mary Beth Haley, a relative who referred to Haley as an aunt, described a childhood in Atlanta where Haley "arrived for Christmas as if the carnival had come to town.''

She remembered Haley for her fancy car, colorful clothes and "jewelry that was bigger than I was.''

Mary Beth Haley would grow to travel with Haley and the two women would talk once a week. Going through Haley's belongings, correspondence from Paul Newman, Richard Burton and Frank Sinatra was found.

Robert MacDonald, artist-in-residence at Florida Southern College, captured Haley's spirit with a musical medley on the piano, with tunes from Sinatra's "My Way'' to the Dreadnaught-theme "Anchors Aweigh.''

Friends like Allen Cleveland reveled in Haley's eccentricities, saying she thought a good Southern lady "should never vote for a Republican.''

Cleveland shared a few Haleyisms. Among them:

Name your car.

Make people feel important.

Don't do anything tacky.

Small in stature but not short in spunk, Haley inspired fear in one of Lakeland High's other treasures: Football coach Bill Castle.

Castle talked about his younger years coaching football, when he realized what a fan Haley was of the sport.

"Miss Haley was the first teacher I met, and I don't think it was an accident,'' Castle said.

After a loss, though, Castle was asked by a sport writer to explain what happened. "We just got our butts beat,'' Castle answered.

Castle got to school to find Haley waiting for him, launching into her trademark "My darling, may I talk with you?''

Haley told Castle his choice of words in the interview was "not acceptable'' for properly representing Lakeland High. Castle adjusted his future comments accordingly.

Castle worried about having his grammar corrected at football banquets while the Rev. Riley Short said he "had a final exam every Sunday morning.''

Haley would critique his sermon from the front row with disapproving nods.

But Monday, Haley was missing from her seat.

"The bell has rung,'' Short said. "Class dismissed. Anchors aweigh.''

"Hazel Haley has graduated magna cum laude.''