September Bears of the Month - Lyndal & Susan Caddell
MEET OUR OUR SEPTEMBER BEARS OF THE MONTH - Beloved NPS teachers, Lyndal & Susan Caddell!
Since the inception of our Bear of the Month feature, one name has consistently been singled out as THE most impactful teacher in the lives of Noble grads almost every single month - long-time Noble teacher, Lyndal Caddell. Lyndal and Susan have positively influenced the lives of thousands of Noble students over the past 4 decades of their careers - academically AND socially. We can’t imagine how different the culture of our classrooms or community would be without the enormous impact they have made, and are supremely honored to call them a major part of our Bear family!
A 1971 graduate of Noble High School, Lyndal was active in school activities including serving as Student Council President, Honor Society President, Future Teachers of America President, yearbook staff member, Model United Nations, and an officer in Spanish Club and Science Club. He was in the cast for the Junior Play and Senior Play, and as Junior Class President helped organize Noble's second Prom and Banquet. He valued the friendships with students and teachers. Following his years as a Noble Bear, Lyndal attended OU where he earned a B.A in History and a Masters of Social Science, was named a University Scholar, Big Man on Campus, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and to Phi Beta Kappa. He has received many awards over his long career, including the Distinguished Teaching award from the National Council for Geographic Education, Outstanding Oklahoma Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year, the Mike Adkins Friend of Social Studies Award from the Oklahoma Council for Social Studies Education, and NPS District Teacher of the Year THREE times. He has served on the Board of Directors and/or as officer for the Oklahoma Council for History Education, Oklahoma Education, Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education, and the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies, and on the National Council for Teacher Education Board of Examiners. He has presented several hundred professional development workshops ranging from national conferences in Chicago, Philadelphia, Lake Tahoe, Phoenix, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Birmingham to local workshops for Oklahoma City, Ketchum, Allen, and other local districts.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, he is also a civic leader, having served on the Noble City Council and as Mayor of Noble, and a State Senate Interim Study Committee led by Sen. Keith Leftwich on Social Studies Education. Lyndal also served six years in the Oklahoma National Guard and was the honor graduate at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia and served two years as a recruiter. During Lyndal's 45 years he has taught Oklahoma History American History, leadership, geography, Spanish explorers, world history, and civics.
Susan was born in Wyoming and graduated from Cody High School in 1972. She received a Bachelor of Music with English minor from John Brown University in 1976 and Bachelor of Music Education in 1977, followed by a Master of Music from OU in 1979. She spent the summer of 1975 teaching music at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya. After teaching elementary music one year in Garden City, Kansas, she married her sweetheart Lyndal in 1980 and began her teaching career in Noble. During her forty years in Noble she has taught Junior High Music, Newspaper, 8th grade English, English I, Pre-AP English I and II, AP Language and Composition and sponsors the Ethics Bowl Team. They have three children, Melissa, Jon, and Stan. Susan became a bride, wife, teacher, and mother in Noble and spent most of her life here. Their passion for travel and learning about new cultures has also led them to be highly involved in befriending foreign exchange students at the University of Oklahoma, and their love for life and penchant for kindness has been spread around the globe as a result.
We asked the Caddells to answer some questions for all of you about their 40+ years serving the Noble community and here is what we found out:
What is your favorite memory of growing up in Noble?
(Lyndal) My favorite memories are the friendships and activities. Grades 7-12 were all located in what is now Central Office and everyone knew everyone and there was a sense of family. I loved the class parties, field trips, and variety of opportunities to become friends with other students who had diverse interests.
Who were your most impactful teachers and why?
Susan grew up in Wyoming and had wonderful teachers there. Lyndal values so many Noble teachers including Pam Moser who taught Chemistry, Biology I and II and prepared him for college science classes. Pat Leveridge taught American History, Sociology, and Psychology while sponsoring Student Council and Model UN. Lyndal also did his student teaching in history, economics, and sociology with her. Marie McAtee taught sixth grade, and later was FTA sponsor and Lyndal served as a library aide when she became the librarian. So many Noble teachers prepared Lyndal for college by having high standards and serving as mentors.
What advice do you have for the current students of Noble?
Susan encourages students to learn to balance studies, work, family, and sports and other activities. Lyndal encourages students to become involved in activities and to take the challenging classes which will prepare them for the future.
What is your personal definition of success?
Susan defines success as being able to take care of your family and help other people. Lyndal defines success as setting priorities and becoming involved in helping people and leaving the world a better place. Relationships are the most important thing.
