Who Was Doris M Reed?

Born in England in 1915, Doris Reed's professional work extended through five decades. In 1935, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of London in English, History, and French. In 1937, she was appointed as English Mistress at the Mottingham Ravensworht Road Mixed Central School. She lived in London, England during the years of WWII and offered her services wherever she was needed as a teacher. In 1947, she moved to Bermuda with her husband and family and took a teaching position as English and Physical Training Specialist with the St. George Grammar School.

Doris Reed was Nevada's first immigrant teacher. When she moved to Nevada in 1952, the laws of this state prohibited "alien teachers" to hold certification. In 1955, with the help of Mrs. Maude Frazier, she successfully lobbied for a bill to allow expatriate teachers to teach in this state. The bill was passed by the Nevada Legislature and Mrs. Reed began teaching in Henderson. She taught for 31 years in Clark County School District before retiring in 1986.

Doris Reed used a talent in calligraphy to create certificates for students. She also routinely visited the school to read to the children. In November of 1998, an operation to remove tumors from behind her eyes left her blind. She was known to memorize books so she could still "read" to the students.

Mrs. Reed died in June, 2001.