As principal of Green Valley Elementary from 1956 to 1984, Ted Mossler was known for his steady presence, his deep commitment to reading, and his remarkable ability to know the children in his school.
From summer reading pep rallies to daily classroom visits, Mr. Mossler helped create a school experience that many former students and teachers still remember with great affection.
We’re revisiting this September 2023 Legacy Ledger spotlight to honor one of NAFC’s beloved elementary leaders.
Article originally appeared in the September 2023 Legacy Ledger (Issue 37).
Rex Bickers (FCHS ‘70)
Barbara Hogan Byrne (NAHS ’70), Guest Contributor
Ted Mossler (1925-1992)
(Green Valley Elementary School Principal, 1956-1984)
The melody of Ted Mossler’s life has both similar and dissimilar notes to Glenn Barnett’s. Both graduated high school in 1943, but Ted’s high school principal (Corydon) was also his dad. Like Glenn, he married a local girl; Gertrude (“Trudy’) Brown was from Harrison County also. Ted earned his degree in business at IU in 1948 with many college credits from naval officer training. He first worked in commerce and soon pursued the courses needed to teach, by returning to IU. He went back right away to earn his master’s degree in 1952. For both men, 1956 was the year they arrived… then stayed… at one school forever. Ted started day one with the job title of Green Valley Elementary principal, full-time.
From the earliest pre-school days of their son Jeff, the Mosslers lived next door to the family of Euron and Doris Snow. Trudy would sometimes babysit for their three sons Glen, Tom and David. Glen Snow (NAHS ’67 and the first athletic trainer at FCHS) became sort of an “older brother” friend to Jeff. Ted and Trudy found lifelong ties at Silver Street United Methodist Church and Ted began teaching Sunday School there early in his career at Green Valley. He retained his love of doing that to the end of his life.
Certain unique traits characterized the Ted Mossler era. One priority was to keep every child advancing their reading ability. Nearly every kid took part in the summer reading program. There were actual summer pep rallies to urge kids to read more each week. GVS was the perennial NAFC “champion” in an unofficial grade school “competition”. The late Katherine Adams, who taught fifth grade from 1958-1990, often said “Ted not only knows every child here, he knows their reading level too.”
Barbara Hogan Byrne (NAHS ’70) was a student there from 1958-64 and returned as an adult to teach from 1980-2010. She recalled making the observation that “as all principals do, Ted made daily walk-arounds in every classroom”. Teachers know… it’s one way that principals perform faculty evaluations. But as a little girl in class, she remembers it differently. “He would choose a student, bend down and say tell me what you’re doing today.” It was always a “make-you-feel-special” kind of day, and you couldn’t wait to tell your parents about it. She smiled and reminisced… “no child had any idea that he was paying any attention to the teacher!”
After retiring, Ted never was one to take it easy. He served in the leadership of Lions’ Club New Albany from the 50s to the 90s. He also faithfully performed the job of “ticket taker” at Bulldog basketball games for decades. Trudy, now a widow of 31 years, frequently sees Jeff and his wife Calise Peden Mossler NAHS ’70 when they are back in southern Indiana… and tries to keep track of the three grandchildren and the eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren.
Read the entire September 2023 Legacy Ledger (Issue 37) edition.