Author: Communications Unit

Claude H. Parson Jr. and Stella M. Parson were both educators in Las Vegas and taught within the Clark County School District (CCSD). Mr. Parson earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees outside of Las Vegas joining the Air Force and was eventually stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. His first teaching job in Las Vegas was at Madison Elementary School, currently Wendell Williams Elementary School, teaching seventh grade and industrial arts. He was appointed coordinator of the school system’s desegregation program in 1969. He also served as the District’s federal programs coordinator a few years later. Mrs. Parson received her…

Eva G. Simmons has served as an educator in the Clark County School District (CCSD) since 1964 when the District only had 54,000 students. She has taken on several roles including teacher, principal, assistant personnel manager, and area superintendent. She has been recognized for her work in education as a CCSD International Year of the Child Honoree, Excellence in Education Hall of Fame inductee, and a Participatory Leadership Award. Her work in public service has also been recognized by the State of Nevada, Clark County, and several other organizations. Mrs. Simmons retired from the District after 37 years of service.…

Clyde Carson Cox moved to Las Vegas with his wife and daughter in 1941. He was a leading figure in Las Vegas’ African-American community for 28 years. At an early age, he became interested in the ministry and devoted his life to that work, receiving a Bachelor of Theology degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Trinity Hall College and Seminary in Illinois. In Las Vegas, he was named pastor of the local church, which he first built on F Street. The first service consisted of six members and grew to a congregation of…

Dr. Carolyn S. Reedom began her tenure in the Clark County School District (CCSD) in 1970, serving students and families as a teacher, dean of students, high school assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.  Dr. Reedom was the first female and African-American president of the Nevada Association of School Administrators. She led several initiatives to help secure school funding, receive national recognition and successfully implement school policies. A few of these initiatives include the Rain Forest Biosphere at Vanderburg ES, recognition as the first High Achieving School by the state at Vanderburg ES, introducing the first inclusion program in the…

John C. Bass served students and families for more than 32 years as a teacher, Title I Controller and principal at CCSD. He worked tirelessly with programs and organizations that were youth-oriented as an effective educator and youth advocate. He was especially committed to programs for special needs and at-risk students. Not long after becoming a school district employee, Mr. Bass, along with fellow teachers, designed and implemented the first after-school program for students who lived in West Las Vegas. He taught many students how to play various sports and held annual tournaments, including the “29 Palms Invitational Basketball Tournament”…

It’s National School Counseling Week! This week, we recognize and celebrate school counselors and bring attention to their role. We congratulate Eboni Simpson-Hodge from Legacy High School as the 2023 Nevada School Counselor of the Year from the Nevada School Counselor Association. Simpson-Hodge said the most rewarding aspect of her work as a school counselor is celebrating with her students during school activities, graduation and even life after graduation.  Learn more at https://nvsca.wildapricot.org/Awards-&-Recognition.

Kermit Roosevelt Booker, Sr. moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1955, and was a man dedicated to the community. He spent many years as an educator in Missouri and Kansas before becoming one of the first African-American teachers in Las Vegas at the Clark County School District (CCSD). He taught at Madison Elementary School, now Wendell Williams Elementary School, until illness forced him to retire. He worked with both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Trailblazers. Highland Elementary School was renamed Kermit R. Booker Sr. Empowerment Elementary School in 2007, one of…

In 1946, Mabel Hoggard was on her way to California but stopped off in Las Vegas to visit a family member. That visit later turned into the decision to stay in the city. Later that year, she became the first licensed African-American educator in Nevada. She would continue teaching in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for nearly 25 years before retiring. During her years in Las Vegas, she was a community activist as well as a teacher. She was a member of the National Association of Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), helped organize the Westside Council, a coalition of…

“I can and I will” is the motto that guided the life of the Honorable Addeliar D.Guy III. Judge Guy was distinguished as the first African-American to serve as a District Court Judge in the history of Nevada. He also served as the first African-American Deputy District Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney of Clark County. He believed that education was the “key” and established the Addeliar D. Guy III Law School Scholarship Fund and the “Spirit of Nevada” Art and Essay Contest for middle and high school students. His caring for the community and especially for young people was…

Dr. Beverly S. Mathis has served as an educator in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for more than 16 years. Dr. Mathis promoted the mission and commitments of the Superintendent’s Region so that all students had equal access to participate in and benefit from excellent educational opportunities.   She’s recognized for her work in education locally and nationally by several organizations including the NAACP, the city of Las Vegas, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and the Public Education Foundation (PEF).  Today, she serves as Vice President of Early Learning, Literacy and Family Engagement at the PEF.  Dr. Beverly S. Mathis…