Former speech coach and english teacher Teresa Lawler inducted into speech hall f fame

Special to the Jefferson Herald

Former Jefferson-Scranton speech coach and english teacher Teresa Lawler was recently inducted into Iowa High School Speech Association Hall of Fame.

Allison Hicks McCarville, JSHS class of 2000, introduced Lawler at the hall of fame ceremonies Oct. 14 at the annual coaches convention in Ames.

Lawler spent 36 teaching in central Iowa schools: Carroll, Melcher-Dallas, Jefferson-Scranton, Ankeny, and Ankeny Centennial. During her tenure, she coached speech events and debate while sponsoring student council, GSA, and service clubs. She served as Southwest district officer for nine years, hosted contests numerous times, and proudly counts seven former students as language arts teachers and/or speech coaches. She was awarded the 2021 NFHS Association Speech, Debate, Theatre Educator Award, a 2010 Golden Apple, and the 2002 Iowa Student Council adviser of the year.

A 1984 graduate of Buena Vista College with a bachelor’s degree in english with a minor in speech, Lawler also holds a master’s degree in english from Northwest Missouri State University. She attained National Board certification in adolescence and young adulthood/english language arts in 2004.
Lawler first joined the IHSSA at Glenwood while under the direction of IHSSA Hall of Famer, Marrianne Driml, and Michael R. Schmidt.

“(My) best memories of coaching are with her Jefferson-Scranton kids,” Teresa Greene said, Greene County career academy specialist. “She says they were the absolute best. Lots and lots of memories with those kids.”