Retired Morley teacher continues making an impact as substitute

May 21, 2026

At Morley Elementary School, Diane Huseman is more than a longtime substitute teacher. She is part of the school’s story.

Huseman taught at Morley for more than 30 years before retiring from full-time teaching in 2010. The very next semester, she returned as a substitute teacher and has continued showing up for students ever since.

For Huseman, teaching was never really a question. After her first day of kindergarten, she went home and announced to her parents, “I am going to be a teacher.” From then on, she began teaching the neighborhood children lessons with her mobile chalkboard. 

“It is just fun being around the children and watching them learn,” Huseman said. “I've never gotten tired of that aspect.”

Born and raised in Gary, Ind., Huseman began teaching in Highland, Ind., before moving to Lincoln for her husband’s work. She started at Morley in 1973, building a decades-long career mostly teaching fifth grade at the school she now calls her “home-away-from-home.”

“Diane is a very special part of the Morley community,” Morley Principal Brandi Hennerberg said. “Everyone knows Mrs. Huseman and looks forward to having her in the classroom. Teachers are consistently requesting her to take their sub jobs because they know she will do a great job.”

Hennerberg said Huseman often prepares for substitute jobs the night before just as she did as a classroom teacher. She wants to be fully ready for the day and support students as much as possible.

Students are excited to see Huseman in the classroom because she makes learning fun. After decades at Morley, she has also taught many of the students’ parents, making her a familiar face to generations of Morley families.

“She makes an effort to make a connection with each student,” Morley student Sidney said. 

Even after retiring from full-time teaching, Huseman said she was not ready to leave the classroom behind. As a substitute teacher, she enjoys working with students across grade levels and seeing the full picture of elementary education.

“It is amazing to run into adults who were former students and have them say, ‘I remember you,’” Huseman said. “‘You helped me so much,’ or ‘I really liked being in your classroom.’ What a tremendously rewarding and fulfilling profession.”

Interested in becoming a substitute teacher at LPS? Learn more here: LPS Substitute Teachers.

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