Sue Passmore views memorabilia and scrapbooks from Bill Passmore’s years as MPE principal

In celebration of their 40th year, students and teachers at Merriman Park Elementary welcomed a special guest Wednesday – Sue McCaffree Passmore. Sue, known affectionately to former students as “the Original Wildcat,” became the first student teacher in a Lake Highlands school in October of 1958 when she reported to work at Wallace Elementary.

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Sue Passmore married Bill Passmore in 1966. By then she was teaching at the then-new Lake Highlands High School, and some of her students had been at LH Elementary when Bill opened that school as its new principal. Bill later became MPE’s first principal. The couple raised two children in Lake Highlands, and Sue taught English until she retired in 1994. Bill passed away in 2007.

You can read more of Sue’s memories from this article celebrating LHHS’ 50th anniversary.

Sue traveled to MPE with RISD trustee and former LHHS executive assistant Karen Clardy, meeting Principal Pharah Hogan, visiting with students and viewing scrapbooks from “the Bill Passmore days.” They then went to LHHS, where Principal Kerri Jones gave them a tour of the ever-changing campus.

Sue Passmore and students at MPE’s outdoor learning center

MPE Principal Pharah Hogan and Girl Scouts welcome Sue Passmore

MPE choir welcomes Mrs. Passmore

MPE library

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.