CEDAR CITY — Preparations are underway to help students through their grief following the death of Iron Springs Elementary School teacher and Parowan resident Robin Whittle.
On Saturday, law enforcement and medical personnel found 62-year-old Whittle unresponsive at home with “unknown injuries,” Cedar City News reported. She was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where she later died.
The cause of her death is under investigation, and law enforcement is waiting for autopsy results, Parowan City Police Chief Addison Adams told Cedar City news. The Cedar City Police Department and Iron County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation.
In a news release, the department stated there “is no reason to believe there is a threat to the general public.” They also requested that anyone with information to assist their investigation call 435-586-9445.
“Parowan City Police Department offers our sincere condolences and ask that the community respect the family’s privacy at this time,” the release states.
Exceptional and compassionate
Whittle began teaching first grade at Cedar City’s Iron Springs Elementary School in August 2021, having previously taught kindergarten at East Elementary and Parowan Elementary, Iron County School District spokesperson Shauna Lund said via email.
“Iron County School District is deeply saddened by the loss of first-grade teacher Robin Whittle,” she wrote. “She has been described as ‘an exceptional educator and compassionate soul.’ During her 11 years working at schools in the district, she touched the lives of many students and parents. She also will be missed by the faculty and staff members she has worked with over the years.”
The district will make additional counselors and therapists available at Iron Springs when students return to school on Wednesday.
“The first-grade team and administrators at the school are working together to make sure students do not face additional challenges with the loss of their teacher, including placement of a qualified educator in the classroom to finish out the year,” Lund said.
Since the announcement, some who knew Whittle shared their condolences and heartbroken sentiments online. The educator taught April Lund’s twins, welcoming them to class late last fall after the family moved back to Cedar City.
“She was hard on them,” Lund wrote. “And expected them to try harder and do their best. And for that … my girls excelled! Their reading improved. Their handwriting. Their math skills. Her smile will forever be in our hearts. What a loss to the community.”
A memorial service will be held for Whittle at 1 p.m. at the Southern Utah Mortuary in Parowan, 15 E. 100 N., according to her obituary, hosted by Olpin Family Mortuary. Those who knew Whittle can also share memories and pictures, plant trees or send flowers.
Updated, Jan. 4, 8:22 and 9:17 p.m.: Includes additional information about Whittle’s memorial service, additional comments and a new photo.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.