The School District of Lee County will officially dedicate its newest middle school as Lemuel Teal Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. The Teal family will join Principal Dr. Joseph Restino to unveil some of the special tributes to Teal that are being incorporated into the school. The dedication ceremony is an invitation-only event.

“Words cannot describe how honored and humbled I am to be the Principal of Lemuel Teal Middle School,” said Principal Dr. Joseph Restino. “Mr. Teal spent his life empowering young people and I aspire to do the same. At LTMS, everyone who walks through the doors will leave with a brighter future. “

Lemuel Teal was a math teacher in the School District for 38 years. He spent 30 of those years at Fort Myers Middle Academy. He passed away in 2020 and is survived by his wife and two children. During the naming process, Lemuel Teal Middle School was the community’s number one choice and the name was approved by the School Board on March 28, 2023.

Lemuel Teal Middle adds approximately 900 sixth through eighth grade seats to the East Zone. The school colors are dark blue and silver and the mascot is the Spartans.

The campus underwent an extensive $18.6 million renovation in 2022. Classrooms were updated and in some cases created. A science and computer lab were added. The dance, art and music rooms were improved while the cafeteria and media center were both upgraded. The entire project was funded by the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2018. From 1983 to 2021, the campus served as the original home to Lehigh Acres Middle School.

The campus is at 104 Arthur Ave. in Lehigh Acres. The dedication ceremony is invitation only.

Source: School District of Lee County