The Colton High family was shocked and saddened  to learn of the sudden passing of math teacher Debbie Zeller over the summer.

“We’re still unsure of the cause of death,” said Colton High School Principal Amanda Corridan. “It appeared to be natural causes.” Corridan also gave information of a memorial service that the school is planning. On the night of Colton High’s first home football game there will be a tree planting ceremony in the Math & Science wing, as well as a moment of silence for  Zeller before the game. “She will be missed, her department is taking it very hard.”

Zeller was a beloved teacher on campus who enjoyed collecting purses, would often take walks around the campus, and was a member of Mensa (a high IQ society for persons who attain a score within the upper two percentile of the general population). She taught in the math department but her original degree was in history.

“I knew her as a colleague and as a friend very well” said math teacher Jeanne Folta. “She was very honest and open.”

Math teacher Robert Montano worked alongside Zeller for many years.   “She cared about working with her students” and she was a “very traditional teacher,” said Montano.

Lexi Castell, a Special Ed Assistant here at CHS, worked alongside Zeller last year. “I was really hurt when I heard the news,” said Castell. “I feel she was very misunderstood, people didn’t know she was a very comforting and kind person. She was so down to earth, hilarious, and a very giving person–a character, one of a kind.”

Colton High AVID & English teacher, Terry Urban, knew  Zeller very well, both from the faculty and as a student. “I was one of her students over 20 years ago,” said Urban. “She was the first high school teacher I ever had. She was very funny, I liked her sarcasm because it was sarcasm out of love, not to poke fun.”

Zeller will be greatly missed by her fellow staff and former students alike.