“There is great personal achievement in the kindness and love you’ve shown for others. Our community’s a better place. Our kids are better off because of you, and you made teachers better. But most of all, you’re the best friend ever. And to have you come into our lives and to be a part of it and to share so much of your time and talents, what a blessing you’ve been. And we thank you for it.”
These were the words of Larry Perkinson, former student assistance coordinator for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., as he commended retired educator Linda DeClue in a video tribute.
DeClue, who most recently served as BCSC’s assistant superintendent of human resources before stepping down in 2015, is the school corporation’s 2022 inductee into its Education Hall of Fame.
The honor is given to teachers, former teachers or administrators who have made “a noteworthy and extraordinary employment contribution to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. which merits recognition for excellence.”
DeClue started working in education in 1973. She began as an elementary school teacher, working for about 15 years in the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. before returning to graduate school to earn her doctorate. After that, she went to Lebanon (Indiana) and served as an elementary principal for two years.
She then got a call about potentially working for BCSC. It was a good fit for DeClue, who is a Columbus native with many family members living in the area. As a student, she attended Catholic grade school before graduating from Columbus High School. Getting the opportunity to return to her hometown was a gift, she said.
Upon returning to Columbus, DeClue first served as Clifty Creek Elementary principal for two years. Then, the superintendent asked her to work in the central office as an administrator. She served as director of staff and community services for one year and then became assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She held the latter role for nine years before becoming the assistant superintendent of human resources.
DeClue said she “loved every one of those jobs.” She feels that, regardless of what role she was in, her main priority was helping students.
“Certainly, as you become an administrator, that becomes a really kind of important touchstone, to make sure that even in the midst of things like financial crises or other challenges, that you still kind of keep to the forefront doing what’s best for kids,” she said.
Administrators also have to help develop teachers to facilitate this, she added.
“Really, the kind of people part of it was always what I enjoyed the most, whether it was kids or the adults,” said DeClue.
Since her retirement in 2015, DeClue has done some different volunteer work around the community and said that the visitors’ center is a passion of hers. She’s been a volunteer tour guide, a tour guide bus driver, helped at the tour desk and serves on the center’s advisory committee.
She’s also still involved in education as the current chair of the St. Bartholomew’s Catholic School Commission.
DeClue found out about her selection for the hall of fame through a phone call with Superintendent Jim Roberts.
“I was so surprised and obviously very humbled and so grateful for the recognition,” she said. “But it had never occurred to me. I mean, I’ve over the years written lots of letters in support of wonderful folks who were nominated for this award. So just kind of knowing the type of individuals who had previously received this award, I think, makes it even more special.”
DeClue was honored by friends, family and follow educators at a recent school board meeting, with some presenting their remarks in person and others via a recorded video tribute.
“It’s been my great honor that she was my right arm for more than a decade,” said former BCSC Superintendent John Quick.
As the 2022 inductee, DeClue received two plaques. One is hers to keep, and the other goes to the BCSC building of her choice. She has selected the administration building, which is where she spent most of her years with the school corporation.
Roberts said that the plaques’ inscriptions were crafted from the letters, nominations and comments BCSC received about DeClue. This includes references to her “unwavering community commitment” and how she “led with grace and dignity.”
One of the included quotes states that, “Her mission in life was not only to promote and develop the potential in every student, but to bring out the best in everyone.”
“I was so lucky to work with people who were passionate and talented and thoughtful and creative and inspiring and tenacious in wanting to do what was best for kids,” DeClue told the board. “And I’ve always hoped that that’s part of the legacy that I left behind here in BCSC, that I’m remembered for my part in working on behalf of students and teachers and administrators. … But more importantly, I hope I’m remembered for how I treated those people. You know, I learned early in my career — and perhaps you have too — that people don’t always remember what you do or what you did. But I can tell you, they almost always will remember how you treat them.”
