04/01/2026
Meet Carol Kaplan-Lyss, former Clayton educator and one of this year's Distinguished Educator honorees! Join us in celebrating her at the Clayton Alumni Hall of Fame and Distinguished Educator Awards on April 24 and 25 — RSVP by April 3 at bit.ly/ClaytonHOF — and read on to learn more about her!
Kaplan-Lyss joined the School District of Clayton in 1976 as part of the new Early Childhood Program, an innovative parent education initiative headquartered at Glenridge Elementary School. She helped write the curriculum for parent-toddler classes and facilitated child development and parenting groups. In 1990, the growing program moved to its current home on Gay Avenue and was renamed The Family Center. There, she expanded her role to include counseling services, classes for parents of infants through middle school students, and liaison work with the District's international parents.
A passionate musician, Kaplan-Lyss brought her guitar into classrooms and Family Center gatherings and taught a beloved Ukulele for Parents workshop. She also authored ten musical plays and several children's books, and produced two CDs of children's songs. Since retiring in 2011, she has continued playing music, facilitating workshops, visiting schools where students perform her musicals, and volunteering.
