Theresa Smith Ph.D.
Theresa Smith Ph.D. Obituary
Theresa Catherine Sullivan Smith, Ph.D., 83, of Las Vegas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Dr. Smith is known as a visionary educator and child advocate. She was co-founder of New Horizons Academy (NHA), Nevada`s only private non-profit school specifically designed for students with learning differences. She was serving there as Professor Emeritus at the time of her death. In her words, "The one thing I would say to young people today is how critical it is, as we grow, to surround ourselves with the kinds of friends and professionals who have passions and dreams. I had a passion, it led me and I allowed it. I was led to parents and children who had a need, and that`s what kept me going all through these years." Dr. Smith served as a delivery room nurse in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She later became interested in how children learn and began teaching. After marriage, she focused on raising a family and worked occasionally at both nursing and teaching. In 1966, a chance meeting led to work as coordinator for Special Services at Mohave Valley Elementary School in rural Arizona. It was there that her philosophy began to take shape: "No child wants to fail, and every child can learn, but not in the same way and on the same day." She wanted to help "All" children learn, including those experiencing challenges. Her dedication led to collaboration with leaders in the field of learning differences. Soon, children who had been failing began to succeed. By 1973, Dr. Smith had moved to Las Vegas where she earned her Master`s Degree in Education from UNLV. In 1974, she accepted the position of principal at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School ? the first lay person to hold such a position. Her goal was to create an environment where children can mature spiritually, physically and intellectually, with the understanding that most important is helping each child realize that these needs are inseparable. She earned her Ph.D. from Walden University in 1982 at the age of 58. Her career also includes service as education consultant to St. Jude`s Ranch for Children in Boulder City. She founded the Nevada Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and was instrumental in the passage and implementation of Public Law 94-142 which guarantees children`s right to an education that fits their individual educational needs. Dr. Smith was recognized as one of the most influential women to shape Las Vegas history in the 2005 Wall of Women. She received the first annual Las Vegas Parent & Child`s Silver Star Award March 6, 1999. That date was declared "Dr. Theresa C. Smith Day" by Governor Kenny Guinn and Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. NHA has plans to realize one of Dr. Smith`s lifelong dreams ? a school campus designed to enhance learning. The green building project, NHA`s Energy Education Station, is described atttp://www.energyeducationstation.org/index.php. The school currently has one green classroom to be featured in a Discovery Channel documentary later this year. Dr. Smith, formerly of Needles, Calif., is survived by her son, David; her daughters, Linda Simpson and Nancy Nakata; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and the thousands of children whose lives reflect the enduring legacy of her life`s work. Her husband, Jack, passed away in 1973; and her daughter, Patricia Lantz, in 2006. As a student wrote, "Thank you for making a school for people like me ware we can take time to learn. Thank you for taking the time to talk. I am so happy were people can under stand me. You are my hero." A celebration of her life will be held at NHA in late January - date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to a foundation that is being established in her name. To do so, please contact NHA at (702)-876-1181. Contributions are tax deductible and will be used for scholarships and educational programs.
- See more at: http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=theresa-smith&pid=142269087#sthash.bLlmkPcX.dpuf
Theresa Smith Ph.D. Obituary
Theresa Catherine Sullivan Smith, Ph.D., 83, of Las Vegas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Dr. Smith is known as a visionary educator and child advocate. She was co-founder of New Horizons Academy (NHA), Nevada`s only private non-profit school specifically designed for students with learning differences. She was serving there as Professor Emeritus at the time of her death. In her words, "The one thing I would say to young people today is how critical it is, as we grow, to surround ourselves with the kinds of friends and professionals who have passions and dreams. I had a passion, it led me and I allowed it. I was led to parents and children who had a need, and that`s what kept me going all through these years." Dr. Smith served as a delivery room nurse in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She later became interested in how children learn and began teaching. After marriage, she focused on raising a family and worked occasionally at both nursing and teaching. In 1966, a chance meeting led to work as coordinator for Special Services at Mohave Valley Elementary School in rural Arizona. It was there that her philosophy began to take shape: "No child wants to fail, and every child can learn, but not in the same way and on the same day." She wanted to help "All" children learn, including those experiencing challenges. Her dedication led to collaboration with leaders in the field of learning differences. Soon, children who had been failing began to succeed. By 1973, Dr. Smith had moved to Las Vegas where she earned her Master`s Degree in Education from UNLV. In 1974, she accepted the position of principal at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School ? the first lay person to hold such a position. Her goal was to create an environment where children can mature spiritually, physically and intellectually, with the understanding that most important is helping each child realize that these needs are inseparable. She earned her Ph.D. from Walden University in 1982 at the age of 58. Her career also includes service as education consultant to St. Jude`s Ranch for Children in Boulder City. She founded the Nevada Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and was instrumental in the passage and implementation of Public Law 94-142 which guarantees children`s right to an education that fits their individual educational needs. Dr. Smith was recognized as one of the most influential women to shape Las Vegas history in the 2005 Wall of Women. She received the first annual Las Vegas Parent & Child`s Silver Star Award March 6, 1999. That date was declared "Dr. Theresa C. Smith Day" by Governor Kenny Guinn and Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. NHA has plans to realize one of Dr. Smith`s lifelong dreams ? a school campus designed to enhance learning. The green building project, NHA`s Energy Education Station, is described atttp://www.energyeducationstation.org/index.php. The school currently has one green classroom to be featured in a Discovery Channel documentary later this year. Dr. Smith, formerly of Needles, Calif., is survived by her son, David; her daughters, Linda Simpson and Nancy Nakata; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and the thousands of children whose lives reflect the enduring legacy of her life`s work. Her husband, Jack, passed away in 1973; and her daughter, Patricia Lantz, in 2006. As a student wrote, "Thank you for making a school for people like me ware we can take time to learn. Thank you for taking the time to talk. I am so happy were people can under stand me. You are my hero." A celebration of her life will be held at NHA in late January - date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to a foundation that is being established in her name. To do so, please contact NHA at (702)-876-1181. Contributions are tax deductible and will be used for scholarships and educational programs.
- See more at: http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=theresa-smith&pid=142269087#sthash.bLlmkPcX.dpuf
Theresa Smith Ph.D.
Theresa Smith Ph.D. Obituary
Theresa Catherine Sullivan Smith, Ph.D., 83, of Las Vegas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Dr. Smith is known as a visionary educator and child advocate. She was co-founder of New Horizons Academy (NHA), Nevada`s only private non-profit school specifically designed for students with learning differences. She was serving there as Professor Emeritus at the time of her death. In her words, "The one thing I would say to young people today is how critical it is, as we grow, to surround ourselves with the kinds of friends and professionals who have passions and dreams. I had a passion, it led me and I allowed it. I was led to parents and children who had a need, and that`s what kept me going all through these years." Dr. Smith served as a delivery room nurse in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She later became interested in how children learn and began teaching. After marriage, she focused on raising a family and worked occasionally at both nursing and teaching. In 1966, a chance meeting led to work as coordinator for Special Services at Mohave Valley Elementary School in rural Arizona. It was there that her philosophy began to take shape: "No child wants to fail, and every child can learn, but not in the same way and on the same day." She wanted to help "All" children learn, including those experiencing challenges. Her dedication led to collaboration with leaders in the field of learning differences. Soon, children who had been failing began to succeed. By 1973, Dr. Smith had moved to Las Vegas where she earned her Master`s Degree in Education from UNLV. In 1974, she accepted the position of principal at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School ? the first lay person to hold such a position. Her goal was to create an environment where children can mature spiritually, physically and intellectually, with the understanding that most important is helping each child realize that these needs are inseparable. She earned her Ph.D. from Walden University in 1982 at the age of 58. Her career also includes service as education consultant to St. Jude`s Ranch for Children in Boulder City. She founded the Nevada Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and was instrumental in the passage and implementation of Public Law 94-142 which guarantees children`s right to an education that fits their individual educational needs. Dr. Smith was recognized as one of the most influential women to shape Las Vegas history in the 2005 Wall of Women. She received the first annual Las Vegas Parent & Child`s Silver Star Award March 6, 1999. That date was declared "Dr. Theresa C. Smith Day" by Governor Kenny Guinn and Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. NHA has plans to realize one of Dr. Smith`s lifelong dreams ? a school campus designed to enhance learning. The green building project, NHA`s Energy Education Station, is described atttp://www.energyeducationstation.org/index.php. The school currently has one green classroom to be featured in a Discovery Channel documentary later this year. Dr. Smith, formerly of Needles, Calif., is survived by her son, David; her daughters, Linda Simpson and Nancy Nakata; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and the thousands of children whose lives reflect the enduring legacy of her life`s work. Her husband, Jack, passed away in 1973; and her daughter, Patricia Lantz, in 2006. As a student wrote, "Thank you for making a school for people like me ware we can take time to learn. Thank you for taking the time to talk. I am so happy were people can under stand me. You are my hero." A celebration of her life will be held at NHA in late January - date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to a foundation that is being established in her name. To do so, please contact NHA at (702)-876-1181. Contributions are tax deductible and will be used for scholarships and educational programs.
- See more at: http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=theresa-smith&pid=142269087#sthash.bLlmkPcX.dpuf
Theresa Smith Ph.D. Obituary
Theresa Catherine Sullivan Smith, Ph.D., 83, of Las Vegas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Dr. Smith is known as a visionary educator and child advocate. She was co-founder of New Horizons Academy (NHA), Nevada`s only private non-profit school specifically designed for students with learning differences. She was serving there as Professor Emeritus at the time of her death. In her words, "The one thing I would say to young people today is how critical it is, as we grow, to surround ourselves with the kinds of friends and professionals who have passions and dreams. I had a passion, it led me and I allowed it. I was led to parents and children who had a need, and that`s what kept me going all through these years." Dr. Smith served as a delivery room nurse in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She later became interested in how children learn and began teaching. After marriage, she focused on raising a family and worked occasionally at both nursing and teaching. In 1966, a chance meeting led to work as coordinator for Special Services at Mohave Valley Elementary School in rural Arizona. It was there that her philosophy began to take shape: "No child wants to fail, and every child can learn, but not in the same way and on the same day." She wanted to help "All" children learn, including those experiencing challenges. Her dedication led to collaboration with leaders in the field of learning differences. Soon, children who had been failing began to succeed. By 1973, Dr. Smith had moved to Las Vegas where she earned her Master`s Degree in Education from UNLV. In 1974, she accepted the position of principal at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School ? the first lay person to hold such a position. Her goal was to create an environment where children can mature spiritually, physically and intellectually, with the understanding that most important is helping each child realize that these needs are inseparable. She earned her Ph.D. from Walden University in 1982 at the age of 58. Her career also includes service as education consultant to St. Jude`s Ranch for Children in Boulder City. She founded the Nevada Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and was instrumental in the passage and implementation of Public Law 94-142 which guarantees children`s right to an education that fits their individual educational needs. Dr. Smith was recognized as one of the most influential women to shape Las Vegas history in the 2005 Wall of Women. She received the first annual Las Vegas Parent & Child`s Silver Star Award March 6, 1999. That date was declared "Dr. Theresa C. Smith Day" by Governor Kenny Guinn and Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. NHA has plans to realize one of Dr. Smith`s lifelong dreams ? a school campus designed to enhance learning. The green building project, NHA`s Energy Education Station, is described atttp://www.energyeducationstation.org/index.php. The school currently has one green classroom to be featured in a Discovery Channel documentary later this year. Dr. Smith, formerly of Needles, Calif., is survived by her son, David; her daughters, Linda Simpson and Nancy Nakata; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and the thousands of children whose lives reflect the enduring legacy of her life`s work. Her husband, Jack, passed away in 1973; and her daughter, Patricia Lantz, in 2006. As a student wrote, "Thank you for making a school for people like me ware we can take time to learn. Thank you for taking the time to talk. I am so happy were people can under stand me. You are my hero." A celebration of her life will be held at NHA in late January - date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to a foundation that is being established in her name. To do so, please contact NHA at (702)-876-1181. Contributions are tax deductible and will be used for scholarships and educational programs.
- See more at: http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=theresa-smith&pid=142269087#sthash.bLlmkPcX.dpuf
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