Faculty News

Dixie Lee Spiegel Retires

The following story on Dixie Lee Spiegel’s retirement appeared in The Carolina Slate, Fall 2005. Upon her retirement, the School of Education established the Dixie Lee Spiegel Scholarship Fund as a lasting tribute in her honor.  If you would like more information about the fund or wish to contribute to it, please contact Assistant Dean Wendy Borman, wendy_borman@unc.edu or (919) 843-4536.

Dixie Lee Spiegel will retire on December 31 after a 28-year career at the School of Education.  During her tenure as a professor of literacy studies, she has focused her teaching and writing on “helping kids by helping teachers.”  Spiegel has translated literacy research for classroom teachers, enhancing their understanding of how to use research findings to improve their teaching. 
Her four books have sold more than 40,000 copies.  Several of her articles have been cited extensively and many have been reprinted in literacy collections, including her first article as a Carolina professor which will appear in a 2006 volume of collected works by the International Reading Association. 

“Dixie is well known among literacy scholars worldwide for her ability to turn literacy research and theory into innovative classroom practice,” said Jill Fitzgerald, associate dean of the school and longtime colleague of Spiegel’s.  “Her advocacy for the struggling reader and her spirited faith in teachers' ability to reform their own teaching are hallmarks of her scholarship.”

In addition to her faculty role, Spiegel has served as senior associate dean of the school since 2001.  During her career she also has held numerous other significant administrative posts in the School of Education, including director of accreditation, director of graduate studies, director of admissions and associate dean for students. 

At the University level, Spiegel has provided leadership as chair of the Student Health Committee, chair of the Minorities and Disadvantaged Committee, chair of the Disability Subcommittee of Undergraduate Admissions, member of the Graduate School Advisory Board and initiator of a course for learning disabled students on campus.

“In all her administrative roles, Dixie has been highly respected for her ethical outlook,” Fitzgerald noted.  “She has demonstrated an unending capacity for attention to detail, strength of conviction, even-handedness and good-heartedness.” 

Spiegel began her career as an elementary school teacher after graduating cum laude from Brown University.  She taught in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland and Wisconsin.

“A few years in the classroom made me realize that children desperately need better reading instruction,” Spiegel said.  “I’ve been hooked since then.”

She went on to earn a master’s degree in reading and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In 1977 she joined the faculty of the School of Education, beginning what would become a lifelong career at UNC.  “This was my first university job and my last university job,” Speigel remarked.  “I can’t imagine having been in a better place!”

Spiegel has received many honors and awards during her career, including being elected to membership in the Academy of Distinguished Teachers of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, being named an honorary member of the University of North Carolina Class of 1998, attaining lifetime status as a National Conference on Research in English Fellow (1992) and receiving a Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (1987).  Additionally, in 2000 the Carolina chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, the international association for professional educators, established the Dixie Lee Spiegel Professional Development Scholarship in her honor.  The group also awarded Spiegel with the Lester B. Ball Award for Outstanding Service in 1994 and 1997.

Reflecting on the challenges facing education, Spiegel commented, “Accountability has become a challenge.  We need accountability, but in its current form accountability is driving instruction too much.  We need to focus more on the whole child, not just academic development.”

“We also need to find a way to solve inequities of funding.  We must pay all our teachers more and improve working conditions in schools across the board.  These issues are not new.  But teaching is such important work and we must attract well qualified students into the profession.”

Throughout her career Spiegel has sought to maintain a positive outlook, living her personal motto of seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty.  She has found her teaching role particularly meaningful.  “I love teaching at every level,” she said.  “The Carolina undergraduates are so bright, fresh and eager to learn.  And when I have taught experienced teachers, I’ve learned so much from them.  It’s a comfort to know that our children are in their hands.” 

Her students and colleagues have been the source of Spiegel’s greatest professional rewards.  “Teaching and interacting with bright, young people, working with wonderful colleagues, writing and publishing, that’s what brought me the joy!” she said.

“Dixie has been the consummate teacher, literacy scholar and administrator,” Fitzgerald stated.  “Throughout all of her successes, perhaps two traits might be noted above all others by those who know her ─ humor and warmth.  Dixie has always modeled for the rest of us how to ‘hold the rudder’ steady through a compassionate and caring disposition.”

In retirement Spiegel plans to balance some volunteer literacy work at local schools with other interests including travel, community service, gardening and drawing. “Dixie has been a friend, mentor, and leader for many both within and outside the University community,” commented colleague Harriet Boone. “Her unlimited dedication, energy, and optimism have been a model for her colleagues and students.  She has managed to conquer the most challenging tasks with humor, grace and kindness.  There will be a true void in the School of Education community upon her retirement ─ Dixie’s spirit cannot be replaced!”