Helen Marie Smith
In September of 1931, a young woman arrived in Las Vegas from Carson City, Nevada. At that time, Las Vegas was a struggling railroad town and had only three schools. This young woman began teaching at one of these schools and taught for twelve years.
She was then named as principal of Helen J. Stewart School from 1943 to 1957. After serving as principal for fourteen years there, she was asked to open another school, Halle Hewetson in 1959, and was principal there until she retired in 1969.
During her career, she helped organize the Classroom Teacher Association, and served as one of its first presidents. She was also the first president of the Clark County Principals Association. She was a State member of the Parent-Teachers-Association and was a life long member of the National PTA . She was also a sponsor and chairman of the Junior Red Cross.
She saw the history of Las Vegas in the making and had been part of the history of education since she began teaching here. She taught in Las Vegas when some children went to school in tents and was here during the time the Hoover Dam was being constructed. She witnessed the growth of Las Vegas and was here to help lay the foundation for the school system we enjoy today.
Our school was dedicated in her name to pay honor to this great lady because of her contribution to education, her leadership as a teacher and principal and the great influence of her work on the lives of boys and girls during her many years of service.
She was then named as principal of Helen J. Stewart School from 1943 to 1957. After serving as principal for fourteen years there, she was asked to open another school, Halle Hewetson in 1959, and was principal there until she retired in 1969.
During her career, she helped organize the Classroom Teacher Association, and served as one of its first presidents. She was also the first president of the Clark County Principals Association. She was a State member of the Parent-Teachers-Association and was a life long member of the National PTA . She was also a sponsor and chairman of the Junior Red Cross.
She saw the history of Las Vegas in the making and had been part of the history of education since she began teaching here. She taught in Las Vegas when some children went to school in tents and was here during the time the Hoover Dam was being constructed. She witnessed the growth of Las Vegas and was here to help lay the foundation for the school system we enjoy today.
Our school was dedicated in her name to pay honor to this great lady because of her contribution to education, her leadership as a teacher and principal and the great influence of her work on the lives of boys and girls during her many years of service.
