Who is Lemuel Teal? Lee Schools to name middle school after former teacher

Nikki Ross, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
After receiving the majority public vote, the recommend name for Middle School QQ is Lemuel Teal Middle School.
After receiving the majority public vote, the recommend name for Middle School QQ is Lemuel Teal Middle School.

After receiving the majority public vote, the recommend name for Middle School QQ is Lemuel Teal Middle School.

There were six naming options for the school, formerly home to Lehigh Acres Middle on Arthur Avenue, according to the Lee County School Board's Wednesday workshop agenda.

More:New name for Lehigh Acres middle school down to six finalists

  • Lemuel Teal Middle received 1,806 votes.

  • Arthur Middle received 918 votes.

  • Veterans Park Middle received 706 votes.

  • Central Lehigh Middle received 535 votes.

  • Veterans Park Middle received 706 votes.

  • Lee Ratner Middle received 214 votes

  • Gerald Gould Middle received 166 votes.

The HACFM and city leaders gathered to dedicate 64 new trees that have been added to the HACFM’s public-housing neighborhoods. Pictured are: City Manager Billy Mitchell, Mayor Randy Henderson, HACFM Commissioner Lemuel Teal & HACFM Executive Director Marcus Goodson
The HACFM and city leaders gathered to dedicate 64 new trees that have been added to the HACFM’s public-housing neighborhoods. Pictured are: City Manager Billy Mitchell, Mayor Randy Henderson, HACFM Commissioner Lemuel Teal & HACFM Executive Director Marcus Goodson

The school first opened in August 1983, according to the Lee County School District. It closed in June 2021 when Lehigh Acres Middle students and staff were moved to a new campus on Sunrise Boulevard. The campus underwent an $18.6 million renovation in 2022.

The school board will take a final vote on the name during the meeting on March 28. The school will reopen in August.

So who is Lemuel Teal? Here's what you need to know about the former Lee County educator, according to the Lee County School District.

Tribute Video:The Life and Legacy of Lemuel Teal

How is Lemuel Teal connected to the Lee County School District?

Teal taught math in the Lee County School District for 38 years. He started as a math teacher at Dunbar High School for seven years. A majority of his time in the district, 31 years to be exact, was spent at Fort Myers Middle Academy, a title one school.

Is Lemuel Teal alive?

No, Teal died in December of 2020 at the age of 82.

Where was Lemuel Teal born and raised?

Teal was born and raised in Fort Myers. He attended Dunbar Elementary and Dunbar High School.

What did Lemuel Teal do after he retired?

Once he retired, Teal taught night school to seniors for 25 years. He was also a Sunday school teacher.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Who is Lemuel Teal and why is a middle school being named after him?