Kitty McDonough Ward

Kathleen (Kitty) McDonough Ward was born on May 25, 1946, in Lockport, New York. At the age of 14, Kitty visited her aunt’s classroom. It was during that visit that her desire to teach was born. In 1968, she graduated from the State University of New York, and fulfilled her dream to have her own classroom. Kitty began her teaching career in the Starpoint Consolidated School District in Lockport, New York, at the start of the 1968-69 school year. In 1969, she began teaching in the inner city area of Peoria, Illinois.

She moved to Las Vegas in 1973 with her husband, Michael, and sons Mathew and Brennan. She was committed to staying home and raising her children, but did begin substitute teaching for the Clark County School District in 1981. She returned to teaching full time in 1984 at Paul Culley Elementary School. She also taught at Rex Bell and Helen Her Elementary Schools.

It was at Helen Herr Elementary School that she became committed to the multi-age teaching concept. She conducted teacher research on the challenges and possibilities of multi-age teaching. She presented her findings at a national conference.

Kitty’s philosophy of teaching was that “you take the child from where you find him/her and go from there.” It was a philosophy that served children well throughout her teaching career. It was also a philosophy that she imparted to every practicum and student teacher that walked through her door to teach alongside her, and also conveyed to colleagues, parents, and administrators with whom she came in contact.

She was an active member of the Junior Mesquite Women’s Club and served in several offices in the organization, including chairwoman for the Community Improvement Project for the Nevada Federation of Women’s Clubs. She also participated in a variety of charity projects, including Candle Lighters where she organized projects resulting in financial donations to the organization that assists children with cancer.

Kitty was a lifelong learner, reader, and writer. She helped organize the Readers/Writers, a group that consisted primarily of educators. For over ten years, this group has met on a monthly basis to share personal reading and Writing.

Kitty completed her masters degree in Reading and Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 1993, the same year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to teach while enduring surgeries and chemotherapy in an attempt to halt the disease. Unfortunately, she was forced to retire in 1999 and she lost her battle with cancer on July 10, 2002.

Kathleen McDonough Ward was the teacher all children wish to have, the teacher all parents hope their child will encounter, the teacher all fellow teachers will turn to for help and guidance, and the teacher principals dream of having on their staff.

J.P. Gerner
November 13, 2003