SUZE ANNE NORTON

Suze Anne Norton will long be remembered for greeting all her young students by name and sending them off with a smile. As the Head of the Lower School at Wichita Collegiate School for 25 years, her gift of making a personal connection with the students helped create a love of learning that has fostered continual academic excellence.

An encourager and leader by nature, once she discovered the personal fulfillment of teaching children, it became her lifelong passion. She firmly believed that students learned best when they were doing.

Beginning at Wichita Collegiate first as a teacher in 1975, Suze Anne was energetic and engaging in the classroom – always making sure that her students were attentive and on task. Later, as an administrator, she moved her faculty towards a project-based curriculum, with teachers leading actively involved students.

Suze Anne’s gifting extended to her ability of hiring and supporting outstanding teachers, which have become a hallmark of Wichita Collegiate. She constantly encouraged her teachers to take their own initiative to improve the educational experience for all students.

In addition to her dedication to high academic standards, Suze Anne was committed to teaching the whole child. She helped implement character strengthening units, and encouraged parental involvement at Wichita Collegiate. Outside the classroom, Suze Anne was instrumental in the founding of her church, Chapel Hill, helping them to meet at her school’s auditorium until it could build its own facility.

A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Suze Anne attended Emporia State University, graduating in 1967 with her BS in elementary education. In 1989, she attained her master’s degree in school administration at Wichita State University. Suze Anne is married to John, has two grown children, both of whom graduated from Wichita Collegiate, and five grandchildren.