Meredith College Mourns Loss of Professor Emerita Jane Gleason

Meredith College mourns the loss of Professor Emerita Jane Gleason, who served on the education faculty for 26 years. Gleason passed away on July 4, 2020.

Gleason’s expertise in mathematics pedagogy was invaluable to Meredith’s Department of Education. Over her years at Meredith College, she taught undergraduate courses and courses in the MAT and M.Ed. programs, and supervised Meredith student teachers. She served as program coordinator for Meredith’s two biggest programs in elementary education.

“Jane was my biggest supporter and cheerleader, as she was for so many,” said Professor of Education and Department Head Jennifer Olson. “I will miss her immensely. The department, college, and teacher education in North Carolina have lost an amazing educator.”

Olson said Gleason’s impact on Meredith could be seen in the words of her former students, who shared numerous messages of remembrance in recent days. In these messages, Gleason was recognized as a favorite teacher, mentor, and positive role model.

One alumna of the graduate education program said Gleason’s calm nature has inspired her to seek out new resources and to embrace challenges, while another called Gleason an “ever present source of love, support, and teacher knowledge.”

Gleason earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education from East Carolina University and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from UNC-Chapel Hill.

She taught at Meredith as an adjunct instructor for three years before joining the faculty as an assistant professor in 1994. She taught her final semester in spring 2020, and was honored with emeritus status at the end of the academic year.

Gleason is survived by her husband, Tom English, and their daughters Paulina and Susannah English.

Memorial service arrangements are pending because of COVID-19 restrictions. Visit the Dignity Memorial site for more information.