With her signature hair barrette, glasses and pendant, the image of Lori Burley is easy to recognize in the new stained glass window overlooking the Tillicum elementary staff room.
Burley died in August at 61 years old, and the stained window is one of many monuments recently created in her honour.
When the popular principal took ill in June, many assumed she would return. But when students returned to Tillicum elementary in September, it was the first time in 12 years principal Burley wasnB次元官网网址檛 there to greet them.
B次元官网网址淪he was a leader, I wanted this [window] to honour [Burley], and to dedicate it to all principals,B次元官网网址� said Tillicum art teacher Doug Wilson, who created 11 stained glass windows in the library for
Behind BurleyB次元官网网址檚 image on the window are the outspread wings of an eagle, which symbolizes protection and which became an important concept in her final weeks. Standing with Burley are four students together on an open book. Below the book is the word B次元官网网址楲eadership.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭he window hangs in the staff room to inspire the staff,B次元官网网址� said teacher Jocelyn Cathcart, who co-designed the window with Wilson.
The idea is that Burley also looks out from the window, symbolically, onto the students playing in the Tillicum field and over the outdoor classroom she commissioned.
Wilson crafted three more versions of the window for BurleyB次元官网网址檚 two daughters and her sister.
This month School District 61 approved the renaming of the Tillicum library as the Lori Burley Learning Commons. ThereB次元官网网址檚 also a new set of chairs and books (with her name inscribed in them) in the commons to celebrate BurleyB次元官网网址檚 advocacy of literature.
B次元官网网址淚 think most knew her as a popular principal in the district for a long time,B次元官网网址� said Tom Ferris, vice chair of the SD61 school board.
Teachers admired her and would go to Tillicum elementary for the opportunity to work for her, Ferris said.
B次元官网网址淪he was the kind of person that, once people got into Tillicum they stayed there, because they appreciated so much the culture she created in the school.B次元官网网址�
BurleyB次元官网网址檚 death certainly came as a shock, said Grade 1 teacher Jodi Dagg, who was at Tillicum when Burley first arrived.
Burley advocated for the start of a lot of programs in the school, the breakfast and lunch programs, after school programs with Burnside Gorge and Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence, and more.
B次元官网网址淪he was very supportive, always willing to jump in and do whatever needed to be done,B次元官网网址� Dagg said.
One story that illustrated Burley was the first time a young new teacher at school met the principal. That day the custodian was off and Burley took it upon herself to put on the cleaning gloves and wipe down desks and tables.
The teacher initially thought Burley was the custodian.
B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 matter what was involved, she jumped in and got involved,B次元官网网址� Dagg said. B次元官网网址淪he was sharp, organized, efficient and a very intelligent lady who ran an efficient school.
B次元官网网址淪he had a tonne of energy, connected with the staff and students, and was a good listener for teachers, a mentor for us,B次元官网网址� Dagg said.
Principal Brent Kelley, formerly of Gordon Head middle school, came out from retirement to cover at Tillicum until a new principal is found.
