3:39 p.m.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Carolyn L. Kessler, SP,
Professor Emerita in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at UTSA, who died on
Friday, July 7, 2023, in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was 91-years-old.
Dr. Kessler was an early faculty member of UTSA and worked here from 1975 - 1998; she also
served as Director of the Bicultural-Bilingual Studies Division from 1978-1979. She
inspired generations of scholars and teachers and remained connected to both the field
(TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and her mentees until the day
she passed. Throughout the course of her life, she taught for nearly 50 years, primarily
at the university level, and was an expert in the field of second language education. She
also taught high school French and chemistry for 11 years. In her role as a professor in
COEHD, she utilized her experience in linguistics to teach students earning the M.A.
degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies.
Attributing her success to her strong educational foundation and strong support from
teachers and her parents, Dr. Kessler became involved in her profession because she always
loved teaching and felt it was a special calling in her life. In 1971, Dr. Kessler earned
a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Georgetown University where she was honored as a University
Fellow. She was a member of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana,
and belonged to the congregation since 1954.
Dr. Kessler was the author of numerous publications, including Literacy con Cariño: A
Story of Migrant Children's Success (co-authored with fellow UTSA faculty members
Curtis Hayes and student Robert Bahruth, 1998), chronicling a group of bilingual students
and their journey to English literacy through literacy in their first language. Dr.
Kessler was also the co-founder of the TexTESOL II chapter of TexTESOL, which proudly
awards a scholarship to TESOL students in her name.
Following her retirement from UTSA in 1998, Dr. Kessler went on to work in the field of
ESL, including time teaching English to refugees in South Florida.
Funeral services for Dr. Kessler will take place on Monday, July 17, 2023, and Tuesday,
July 18, 2023, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
(address: 1 Sisters of Providence Road, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876).
A wake will take place from 2:30-4:30 p.m., on Monday, July 17. Mass of Christian burial
will take place at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, July 18.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Dr. Kessler to the Sisters of Providence of
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods<https://spsmw.org/donate/honor-a-sister/>;.
Norma Jean Morales
Administrative Associate I
The University of Texas at San Antonio
College of Education and Human Development | Office of the Dean
One UTSA Circle, MB 3.304
San Antonio, Texas 78249
O: 210.458.4370
F: 210.458.4487
norma.morales@utsa.edu<mailto:norma.morales@utsa.edu>