Where Is Ms. Stone Now? Former Kindergarten Student From Class Of 1959 Seeks The Educator Who Shaped A Community - 02/23/26
News Release
February 23, 2026
Contact: Janine Thorn
Chief Communication and Engagement Officer
425.520.6965
Contact: Donnovan Martin
Senior Editor, The Daily Scrum News
204.807.8850
Where is Ms. Stone Now?
Former Kindergarten Student from Class of 1959 Seeks the Educator Who Shaped a Community
Bellevue, Wash. — The Bellevue School District and The Daily Scrum News are proud to jointly highlight the story of Ms. Stone, a kindergarten teacher whose leadership, compassion, and belief in every child helped shape the Bellevue and Clyde Hill school community in the late 1950s. Her legacy is uplifted through the lived experience of one of her former students, Don Chapman, whose reflections illuminate the deep impact a single educator can have on a child’s understanding of humanity and allyship.
Ms. Stone created a space where students felt safe, valued, and seen. Chapman, who was in her kindergarten class in 1959, recalls her steady presence and the feeling of belonging she cultivated. He remembers coming home one day and telling his mother, “I like brown people,” a moment that, in hindsight, reflected the deep lesson Ms. Stone had already begun teaching him: that character, not skin color, is what defines a person. "Her influence helped shape my outlook on humanity,” Chapman shared. “She reaffirmed my parent’s teachings of inclusion and acceptance before I even knew those words. I’ve carried that lesson for 67 years.” His reflection demonstrates how early experiences with care, dignity, and representation, along with his parents' support, can shape a child’s worldview for a lifetime.
Today, Bellevue School District continues to build on the foundation established by educators like Ms. Stone. Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Kelly Aramaki, BSD is committed to creating a Beloved Community rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision as a community where every student is affirmed, inspired, and supported to thrive. The district’s strategic plan, developed with full community participation, centers on building human‑centered systems and fostering belonging for every student. Ms. Stone’s example embodies these values and reminds us that this work began long before it was formally named.
Don Chapman is a retired airline pilot, philanthropist, and Canadian citizenship‑rights advocate who founded the Lost Canadians Movement, leading national reforms that restored citizenship to hundreds of thousands affected by discriminatory laws. His story serves as a powerful reminder that the quiet, everyday actions of educators can have a ripple effect across generations.
The Bellevue School District, with over 20,000 students and 28 schools, is a diverse and dynamic district in East King County, Washington. Its mission is "To serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another's humanity, we provide courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students."