PEOPLE

After suffering a heart attack at age 84, Betty Jo Woodring, who founded the Highlander School in Lake Highlands 50 years ago, died Aug. 13. In the 1960s, after she studied education and earned a Master’s degree, Woodring’s unique teaching style helped many children with learning differences to read. She carried that method to the school she founded in 1966. At that time Highlander offered one kindergarten and one junior kindergarten for a total enrollment of 29 students. They added a grade each year until 1973 when the desired size of the school was reached. Today Highlander sits on six acres of land in Lake Highlands. Combining early childhood and elemen- tary school through sixth grade, total enrollment is approximately 100 students. Woodring was an active member at Wilshire Baptist Church in East Dallas and was known for her Charlie’s Angels Sunday School department.