Oral history interview with Beth Duncombe conducted by Jennifer Kalas on December 12, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Duncombe reflects upon her 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes the process by which she became a special education teacher, and life experiences that she feels best prepared her for the principalship, such as teaching in England and working in both public and private education. She also discusses her approach to school administration, and her efforts in creating certain learning environments.
Barbara Givens was born in California, grew up in Reno, Nevada, and moved to Las Vegas in 1952 with her family when she was 14 years old. Her father ran a small construction business here in Vegas until he retired about 15 years ago. Her brother Steve and his children live in Vegas also. Barbara graduated from Las Vegas High School and enrolled in the first matriculated teacher's program at the Southern Regional Division of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (now known as UNLV). Barbara was involved in organizing the first "Rebel Yell", school dances in Las Vegas, and other collegiate activities in Reno. In her senior year, she returned to Las Vegas High to complete her student teaching. After graduation, Barbara was assigned to Rancho High School to teach biology. She left after a year and a half because she had married and was expecting her first child. At that point in time, Clark County School District did not allow pregnant women to remain in the classroom. Fifteen years later she returned to the classroom, this time at Chaparral High. Concurrently, Barbara entered the Master's in Education program at UNLV, and graduated in 1980. Barbara has always loved to travel and has experienced many wonderful trips to exotic places around the world. In retirement, she assists with special events at Hamm Hall and Judy Bailey Theater, goes on-line to offer her services as a biology tutor to high school students, and continues to plan exciting trips abroad. She also indulges in her favorite hobby - attending Star Trek conventions and collecting Star Trek memorabilia.
On March 19, 1978, Marcela Yepes interviewed Richard Erbe (born 1922 in El Monte, California) about his experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada and specifically about his career in education. Erbe first talks about his family background and German ancestry before describing how he ended up moving to Nevada. He then describes his wife’s father’s background in the gaming industry and some of the early illicit casinos that existed in California. The interview shifts to Erbe’s educational background, his first teaching position as a fifth grade teacher, his experience in the military, and his reasoning for not seeking employment in the gaming industry. The two also discuss church activity, politics, and social activities in Las Vegas. The latter part of the interview includes Erbe’s viewpoints on the issues in the educational system, his experiences as a principal at multiple Clark County schools, and some of the challenges he encountered in the administrative side in the field of education.
On March 4, 1980, collector Denise Wolff interviewed truck driver and teacher, William E. “Bilbo” Helms (born on December 7th, 1932 in Memphis, Tennessee) in an office room at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the transformation, growth, and development of the public education system in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Eva G. Simmons conducted by Khary D. Black on May 04, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Simmons reflects upon her 27 years as an administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). She describes the process by which she became a teacher and eventually an administrator, and discusses the significance of the Teacher Advisory Committee in the development of her philosophy of school administration. She discusses student ethics, corporal punishment, cultural diversity, and bilingual programs within the school district, in addition to challenges that she faced from public entities and parents.
Oral history interview with Dean Otteson conducted by Felicia McCabe on November 04, 2008 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Otteson reflects upon his experiences as a teacher and administrator in Alaska and with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. He discusses his experiences working with vocational training, working with assistant principals, and challenges that he faced.
Interview with Margo Mink Colbert by Barbara Tabach on November 11, 2014. Colbert discusses her upbringing in New York and her schooling at the High School of Performing Arts and Julliard. She is a choreographer and faculty member at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Margot Mink Colbert was born in 1935 in New York City, to parents of different economic backgrounds who shared a Jewish immigrant heritage. She attended Julliard and studied under modern dance pioneers like Martha Graham and Jose Limon. Margot honed her skill for choreography, and took her first job in academia as a Senior Lecturer in the dance department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1991, she moved to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to take a one-year appointment as an instructor. A year later, she was hired into a tenure track position. Margot is now a Professor at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, assistant chairperson of and Director of Ballet in its Department of Dance. In addition, she continues to direct Ballet Mink, a dance company she founded in 1970.
Ann E. Brewington, former instructor at the University of Chicago School of Business, stands in front of a house as part of a Christmas postcard. Brewington was a sister-in-law of Nevada Governor Vail M. Pittman. Inscription "at 99" indicates the photograph was taken in 1988.
Oral history interview with Dr. Douglas Dickerson conducted by Chris Sivels on March 28, 2005 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Dickerson reflects upon his career as a high school teacher and administrator in Nebraska. He discusses his upbringing that influenced his decision to teach, the process by which he became an administrator, and challenges that he routinely faced.
Oral history interview with Dr. Emmell J. “E. J.” Beech conducted by Salvatore Maranto on November 27, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Beech reflects upon his career as an elementary and middle school teacher and administrator in California. He discusses how he entered education, his experiences desegregating schools in multiple school districts, and his approach to school administration.