Lima teacher remembered for engaging, pushing students

LIMA — The night before he died, teacher Drew Chiles interviewed to become the leader of the small school he championed to bring to Lima Senior High School.“He was full of ideas in the interview,” said Harmony Brenneman, building coach and teacher in the School of Multiple Intelligences. “You could see his passion for the school and for the students here at the school. It was very evident.”Chiles, 34, died early Thursday at Lima Memorial Health System. He had collapsed earlier at his Ada home while getting ready to come to school. Chiles taught social studies in the school of Multiple Intelligences and also taught adjunct college classes. He worked to bring dual-enrollment opportunities to Lima Senior. Students and staff at the high school were in shock Thursday, Superintendent Karel Oxley said.“He was absolutely beloved by the students and his colleagues and staff members,” Oxley said. “They are in a state of shock and it's a very somber high school right now.”Brenneman and Chiles interviewed for their first teaching jobs on the same day in 2000. Their classrooms have been next to each other ever since. She described Chiles as a great collaborator and a teacher who constantly reflected on what he could do to become better. He always pushed his students.“He makes learning fun,” she said. “He goes out of his way to find creative lessons. There was a lot of hands-on, a lot of creativity in his lessons.”Rescue crews responded to a call from Chiles' home just after 6 a.m. that Chiles had fallen unconscious and hit his head, Ada Police Chief Michael Harnishfeger said. When an officer arrived, Chiles had regained consciousness, but then lost consciousness again. Nothing at the scene indicated foul play or a suicide attempt, Harnishfeger said. Chiles is the husband of Whitney L. Chiles, who resigned from Lima North Middle School last month after two teachers, including her husband, reported to school officials that they believed she had sex and smoked marijuana with a high school student. Ada police continue to investigate Whitney Chiles.The two had a 3-year-old son. Brenneman described an “excitement in his voice” when Drew Chiles talked about his son.“You knew he really cared about him and wanted the best for him,” she said. Teacher Ernie Daugherty met Chiles when they were students at Ohio Northern University and became fast friends. Chiles' excitement and commitment to the School of Multiple Intelligences prompted Daugherty to want to come to Lima Senior. He's in his fourth year there.Daugherty fondly remembered Thursday that Chiles was “always right,” whether he really was or not.“God bless him, whenever he stated something he would state it in such a way that even if he wasn't technically right, he would be verbally correct,” he said with a laugh. “When you thought you had him boxed in, he would find a way to slip out. ... I'm going to miss him with my heart and soul.”Mental health professionals, school counselors and local clergy were on hand Thursday to talk with students individually and in small groups, Oxley said.Former students remember Chiles making government students create their own islands. They also remember his “five-year bet,” offering to buy dinner for graduates returning in five years without a child or fiancée and with a college diploma. Brenneman said current students talked about the bet Thursday, too.“It sounds like something he would do,” she said. “He wanted them to reach their full potential.”JaMesha Williamson, a 2008 Lima senior graduate, credits Chiles with helping her on her way in life. She'll be in law school next year.“He was one of my favorite teachers,” she said. “I have to thank him. He helped me make some tough decisions as I picked my major. He always made sure I stayed on track.”Students loved Chiles and felt engaged in his classes, but were quick to say Chiles' classes were far from easy. He called students by their last names. It was indicative, Williamson said, of the level of professionalism and respect required in his classes.“I remember how tough he was and his sarcastic humor,” said 2008 graduate Kristin Jinks. “It made you see that he really cared about you and he wanted you to get it. He wanted to be real with us.”Text messages and phone calls quickly circulated at the news of Chiles' death. Much of the talk, Jinks said, revolved around the life lessons Chiles taught his students. “Just how much he impacted their lives,” Jinks said. “People are saying Mr. Chiles was the reason they graduated from high school, because of his help.”Arrangements are incomplete at Armentout Funeral Home, Waynesfield. Condolences may be expressed at www.armentroutfuneralhome.com.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.Reporter Heather Rutz contributed to this report.