Sheila Lamb

Love you forever, Sheila. Still think about you, 48-something years later.

My first memory of Sheila was as a parent. I was so impressed with the "reports" from my Kindergartener in 1988. I am an artist, and I loved that my son was learning how to be a creative artist. I loved it. A few years later, I developed a real friendship while volunteering to assist in the art room one day a week - I loved that also and grew to love Sheila as a mentor, teacher, and artist. When there was a temporary opening in the middle/high school art program at 89th Street, Sheila recommended me. I got that position and eventually taught there for 27 years! What a fabulous job, and I continue to thank Sheila in my heart.

I am traveling to NYC for the first time since 1992 when I stayed with her (with my 2-year old!) for 10 days or so. I googled her and was saddened to hear of her passing. I met Shelia in 1989 American Samoa and was grateful for the opportunity to learn from a master teacher--as her assistant for many youth art events and classes. She was a good friend and mentor to me and I've thought about her very often over the past 30 years. Shelia has been a big influence in my life and I wish I could tell her so today!

How, between her art and her teaching at the Dalton School, Sheila managed to acquire her extensive knowledge of politics is something of a mystery. In the late 1970s she gave me a detailed briefing on developments in Italian politics and I had to wonder how she obtained the information. The answer could be she stayed in touch with Italian contacts on a regular basis

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Sheila. She was always an upbeat, delightful neighbor at 711. We shared many stories about teaching art and working as artists. She recommended me for my final New York City job as an Art Teacher after I retired. Apparently she was legendary at Dalton and stories abound about her history as a teacher and an inspiration to her students. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to her family.

Sheila was my art teacher many years ago at Dalton--
her generous, gentle being and incomperable creativity were infectious, leaving a life-long impression. I am so grateful to have known Sheila and send my deepest condolences.

Sheila was my first program art teacher at Dalton. I have such strong memories of her teaching me to cut linoleum, and encouraging me. She filled the art room with love and light, and the children loved her. Though we didn´t stay in touch, I have carried her with me in my heart well into adulthood, and I will continue to do so forever.

Thank you for sharing Sheila´s wonderful memory. She was a bright shining star, gifted storyteller and visual artist while keeping indigenous presence alive. The Dalton School was so fortunate to benefit from her special gifts.

I worked with Sheila on her artist website and am so sad to find she has passed away. Such a talented woman! I spoke with her last year about trying to revive her website but was unable to get back to her at that time. Today I looked into my media archive and found the files for the original site that I had coded for her in 2005. I would like to give a copy of these files to her family and the school. Please contact me about how to proceed.

Sheila was a great mentor and a friend. In my first year as a fifth grade House Advisor, she helped me to attend the opportunities within the structures of the Dalton Plan to create Assignments or curriculum for House that would evoke each child's imagination and offer an experience of joy, freedom, community and voice. I matured in my understanding of pedagogy watching Sheila work visual arts into the academic classroom and was liberated to do the same with music, creative writing, movement and theater arts, all the while cultivating discipline and focus.

Sheila's energy was magical. Her deep regard for teaching and learning as a process of transformative communication helped me to "trust the process." She was force of unconditional love and soul power. She honored the legacy of Helen Parkhurst in her dedication to children and will live in my heart forever. Thank you, Sheila.

Miss you every day mom still can´t believe you are gone you are forever in my heart and know you are surrounded by Otis Wiley Ziggy and Gracie loving you up and giving you comfort.

I was so sad to learn of Sheila´s death. I worked with Sheila for many years while I was Director of the 1st Program and loved her. She was a remarkable artist, teacher and leader and was so dedicated to everyone of her students. She found the artistic talents in each one of them while letting them explore their own creativity. She touched so many, young and old alike, and will be greatly missed.

Sheila was one of the most beloved faculty members in the history of The Dalton School. Her extraordinary creativity, passion for the arts, activism for many causes, and her gift for teaching, blessed thousands of Dalton students. She can never be replaced--her spirit will always be with the children in the art studios at the First Program and with all the adult Daltonians who were fortunate to have her as a teacher, colleague, and friend.