A wave of heartbreak swept through the Portland High School community on January 19, 2026, with the unexpected passing of Alyson Wheeler, a beloved English teacher whose impact reached far beyond the classroom. She was just 41.
Wheeler wasn’t just a teacher-she was a cornerstone of the PHS experience. Her passion for education, her unwavering support for students, and the genuine care she brought to every interaction made her a guiding light for so many.
Whether you were a student in her class or a colleague down the hall, knowing Mrs. Wheeler meant feeling seen, supported, and inspired.
The announcement from Portland High came through the PHS Panther Parents page, where school officials shared the devastating news with heartfelt words: “Mrs. Wheeler was a dedicated educator who touched countless lives through her passion for teaching, her kindness and her commitment to her students. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and learning from her.”
That message only scratched the surface of what she meant to her school and her city. In the hours and days that followed, the outpouring of love and grief from students, alumni, and staff was overwhelming. The comment section quickly filled with condolences, memories, and tributes that painted a picture of a woman who didn’t just teach literature-she lived it, breathed it, and passed it on to others with a rare and powerful grace.
One of her current students, senior Browder Clemmons, put it simply and powerfully: “She was the highlight of my day, every day.” His tribute captured the raw emotion of the moment-a student grappling with the sudden loss of someone who had become a daily source of encouragement and joy.
“Mrs. Wheeler was my current English teacher… One of the best teachers at Portland High School.
She made PHS better.”
For many, Wheeler wasn’t just a teacher-they saw her as a mentor, a role model, and a friend. Bailee Smith, a PHS alumna, shared a poignant memory of her final day at the school, recalling how Wheeler made it a point to celebrate her students’ milestones with the same enthusiasm she brought to her lessons.
“She poured her heart into everything she did and into everyone she taught,” Smith wrote. “She believed in people even when they didn’t believe in themselves, and that is a gift that lasts a lifetime.”
That kind of belief-the kind that lifts students up when they’re struggling, that pushes them to dream bigger, that reminds them they matter-was Wheeler’s trademark. And that’s what makes this loss so deeply felt. Her classroom was more than a place to learn English; it was a safe haven, a launchpad, and a second home.
The funeral service was held on January 22 at Generation Church in Portland, where friends, family, and members of the school community came together to honor a life that gave so much to others. It was a moment to grieve, but also to remember-to hold onto the lessons she taught, the laughter she shared, and the love she gave so freely.
Alyson Wheeler is survived by her husband, John; their children, Asa and Sadie; her parents, Walter and Sandra Veale of Portland; her brother, Matt (Stefanie) Veale; her sister, Bethany (Ryan) Shelton; her nephew, Cooper Veale; and her mother-in-law, Tralece Wheeler.
As Portland High School moves forward, the loss of Mrs. Wheeler will be felt in every hallway and every classroom.
But so will her legacy-a legacy built on compassion, connection, and the belief that every student mattered. That legacy won’t fade.
It lives on in the hearts of the countless lives she touched.