Long Beach’s own Wilson Classical High School is in mourning, after the news that co-principal Dianne Brown passed away early Tuesday. Brown taught for more than 35 years, with 29 years experience in Long Beach’s public schools.
After beginning her teaching career in the Long Beach Unified School District in 1971, Brown left the district in 1975 and returned in 1983. She taught in no less than eight LBUSD schools and was principal or vice-principal in four of them. She had served as Wilson co-principal since 2006.
“She had a long and successful career here in the school district, and we’re saddened,” said Chris Eftychiou, LBUSD Public Information Director. “Our hearts go out to her family, and we know that she had a profound impact on her students.”
Brown taught at Long Beach elementary schools Gant, Whittier and Twain. She served as vice-principal and then principal at Harte Middle School, followed by principal positions at Longfellow Elementary and Stephens Middle School before coming to Wilson High.
Wilson High is currently working on plans for a memorial that will take place sometime next week. Brown had suffered from a prolonged illness for some time and had taken a leave of absence before the beginning of the Fall 2008 semester.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor