Deloras E. Thompson

The fourteenth elementary school in the Spring Independent School District received its name because an unpopular college class assignment in 1959 ultimately resulted in Deloras E. Thompson becoming a teacher and a coach in the school district. As a senior Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton, the then Deloras Liles was required to submit 30 original letters to school districts in which she was interested in becoming employed. That assignment resulted in an interview with Spring ISD Superintendent John A. Winship and a position as a Physical Education teacher and coach at Spring High School (then located in the current Wunsche School). The challenge of building a girls’ athletic program and the fact that Spring paid more than the state base salary of $3,200 plus a coaching supplement were the major factors in her decision. For the next five years, the center circle on the gymnasium floor (hanging now on the wall at Thompson Elementary) came to symbolize more than duties and activities for the young wife of H. Wayne Thompson. It represented attachment, appreciation, friendship and love for students and colleagues, and commitment. “I definitely developed “Spring fever” and it has proved to be incurable for me, “Mrs. Thompson said. Retiring in 1964 from a highly successful teaching and coaching career, Mrs. Thompson reentered the education field in 1969 when her oldest son, Troy, began public school. As a parent, she was a worker, organizer and supporter for numerous school activities as first Troy and then Roy became involved in athletics, band and vocational agriculture. Mrs. Thompson’s involvement in school activities resulted in her adding “service to the community: to her resume in 1983 when she was elected to the Spring ISD School Board. For the next 12 years, she served on all School Board committees and in all officer roles, including two terms as President of the Board. “My intentions were to serve the District in appreciation for the quality education that our sons received that enabled Troy to graduate from Spring High School in 1983 and Roy in 1985,” Mrs. Thompson said. “However, while working with so many talented, dedicated and committed people, I realized I frequently received more than I gave.” For all that she gave to the students, staff and community of Spring ISD, Mrs. Thompson received the never-ending honor in May 1995 when she was selected by her School Board colleagues as the namesake of the Deloras E. Thompson Elementary School.