The Carver community joins Norwalk Public Schools and many, many others in extending our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jacquelyn “Lavone” Roberson, who passed away this week.

Lavone started her career in education in Norwalk at Naramake Elementary School and taught third and fifth grade at the school from 2007 to 2019. Lavone was most recently an administrator at Horizons at the New Canaan Country School program.

Lavone also worked for a time at the George Washington Carver Community Center. Lavone’s mother, Jacqueline, has been Carver’s inspirational social worker for decades.

Lavone was a prolific children’s book author with a heart of gold. She wrote about Nia, a fictional character who helps people learn purpose.

Lavone died after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Lavone was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015. The disease returned in 2018.

“Lavone believed deeply that the true growth of a student could not be measured by test scores alone and that the social-emotional development was a necessary component for academic achievement,” Naramake Principal Jane Wilkins said.

Lavone’s longtime colleague Lindsay Esposito said of her friend, “Lavone was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She was a beautiful woman with a warm smile, strong presence, and a heart that embraced all people. Lavone saw potential in everyone, even before they could see it in themselves.”

Esposito said Lavone made meaningful relationships with all students and when they entered her classroom, they knew they were safe, welcomed, and loved. She held high expectations for everyone, and in addition to their academics, Lavone also taught them the importance of morals and values. She made everything she taught relevant and relatable.

“Each day she made her students repeat the mantra, ‘Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best,’” Esposito said. “Her goal was for each of her students to recognize his or her strengths and take the necessary steps to improve areas that needed support.”

Lavone also made an incredible impact on her school colleagues. She always encouraged them to challenge themselves to improve and do better for their students. She was considered a leader and an incredible educator, working collaboratively with her colleagues and creating meaningful learning experiences to positively impact students.

“Lavone lived her life with purpose and intent. She positively impacted the lives of the children and adults she interacted with. In the field of education, she is a leader beyond compare. She gained the respect and trust of colleagues and students, was empathetic, worked to understand people, developed ideas, solved problems as they arose, and always showed grace and patience,” Esposito said.

“Lavone is someone we should all strive to live like.”