Sheila Reed

Ms. Sheila Marie Reed, an advocate in the field of education, died peacefully on August 29 at her home in Chackbay, Louisiana. She was 71. A native of Chackbay, Sheila was born the youngest of nine children to Mr. Ulysses Reed Sr. and Mrs. Gertrude Allen Reed on August 7, 1951, at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sheila's life was defined by her unfaltering faith in God, her unwavering love for her children and her passion for education, values instilled by her parents. As a result of the persistent systemic barriers germane to the educational and workforce experiences of Black people in the South, Sheila's father, a World War II veteran, only received a middle school education, and her mother was never afforded the opportunity for a formal education, despite her keen intellect. They recognized the power of education, however, and made it a central value of their family, encouraging their nine children and other children in the family to become trailblazers in this arena, which resulted in a family with deep professional roots in education and health care. Sheila was educated in the Lafourche Parish School District, graduating from Thibodaux High School in 1969 at the height of racial integration. Notably, she was in the first class of students formally integrated across racial lines in the Lafourche Parish School District. She frequently spoke of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) case-the landmark US Supreme Court decision that determined separate but equal educational resources and facilities for White and Black populations were still inherently unequal and thus unconstitutional-and its pivotal importance as the catalyst for desegregation across the US. Yet she also witnessed the continued deep resistance to and disinvestment in Black students' educational experiences and futures demonstrated by White teachers and administrators. In contrast to her earlier educational experiences in all-Black schools, Sheila described the transitional period to desegregated education as extremely challenging to navigate both socially and academically. Her eldest sister, Mrs. Eula Mae Brinkley explains: "While Black students didn't have the same resources available to them as White students during the period of racial segregation, they were educated by Black teachers who were invested in educational excellence." In short, Mrs. Brinkley stated that they [Black students and teachers] optimized the resources that they had available to them resulting in a quality and well-rounded education. These early and ongoing experiences of educational inequity in the South served as the impetus for Sheila's career in the field of education and passion for life-long learning. After graduating high school, she earned an associate degree in life sciences and technology from Nicholls State University (1974) and spent two decades (1974-1999) in the field of clinical laboratory science. She spoke fondly and frequently of her days "in the lab" and the antiquated scientific techniques, most notably mouth pipetting. This experience also heightened her awareness of the societal impact of human diseases and epidemics and fueled her love for science education, ultimately inspiring her to become an educator. Her drive in this professional transition led to several accomplishments, including the completion of a bachelor's in science education (1988) and a master's plus 30 in administration and supervision (1998) at Nicholls State University, as well as 60+ hours in the Doctor of Education Program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Louisiana Tech University. She also completed several notable certifications, including a class observer certification for early childhood education. As a classroom teacher for over a decade, Sheila's overall goal was to enhance the quality of education in areas such as early childhood education, science education, and special education. In particular, she focused on the critical influence of early childhood education on student learning and developmental outcomes. In 2007, she published "The Importance of Symbolic Play as a Component of the Early Childhood Curriculum" in Essays in Education. As this was still widely considered a radical notion in the US at the time, she detailed the evidence that "providing a developmentally appropriate curriculum can ensure opportunities for academic and social enhancement during pretend play." Aligned with her passion to improve educational outcomes, she further explained that "By utilizing symbolic play as a curriculum component, teachers can observe students, obtain information, diagnose potential problems, and assist the learner." In her practice, Sheila made critical curriculum changes to enhance the academic and social skills of all students, notably facilitating the involvement of daycare teachers in the Louisiana Pathway Program for the purpose of career building, among other accomplishments. Her former colleague, Mrs. Rosalyn J. Holt, Division Chair for the Division of Behavioral Sciences/Education at Southern University at Shreveport, said that Sheila was "skilled in curriculum development and her commitment and talent were exemplary". Also known for directly challenging students to reach their full potential, Sheila was particularly invested in traditionally underserved students in educational settings and had a tremendous impact on their lives. One of her former students, Mr. Richard Nguyen, expressed: "I remember I would feel disappointed in myself if did I did live up to at least the respect and care she showed me. Until her science class, I never opened a book after school. Not many teachers could affect me (a stubborn teen) beyond school hours. She was one that could. I consider it a privilege to have been taught by her." As a dedicated mother, she was also devoted to promoting educational equity for her own children. Recognizing the need to foster the outstanding musical aptitude exhibited at a young age by her son, Mr. Aaron J. Fletcher, Sheila's fierce advocacy made his testing for admission into Louisiana's Gifted and Talented Program possible at a time when there were no formalized programs for musically gifted students in Lafourche Parish. His talent was further evaluated by the renowned jazz pianist and educator, Mr. Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr., who recommended that Aaron attend the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (N.O.C.C.A.). This unique educational experience has since allowed him to collaborate with other renowned artists to push the creative envelope of music. Inspired by her mother's spirit of advocacy and commitment to social justice, Sheila's daughter, Dr. Faith E. Fletcher, pursued a career in public health and bioethics and is now an assistant professor in the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, a senior advisor to the Hastings Center, and a Hastings Center Fellow. She is nationally recognized for her research and scholarship in health and health care inequities. Affectionately stated by Faith, "My mother's brilliance and insight allowed her to understand how to present information to each student in a way that tapped into their preferred style of learning, which enhanced my learning capacity. Without her advocating for me every step of the way in the educational process, I would not be where I am today. She was my first and most effective teacher and I am committed to carrying forth her legacy of intergenerational education and social justice." Sheila is preceded in death by her parents, Ulysses Reed Sr. and Gertrude Allen Reed, a daughter, baby Jennifer Narcisse, and two sisters, Brenda Joyce Reed Powell and Delores May Reed. She leaves to cherish her memories and carry on her legacy a son, Aaron J. Fletcher; daughter, Faith E. Fletcher (Charlie Pryor); beloved cat, Delilah; sisters: Eula Mae Brinkley, Gloria Dotson (Charles), Anna Thomas, Gustavia Growe, Mary Kitchen (Walter); and brothers, Pastor Ulysses Reed Jr. (Patricia) and Eugene Reed (Madelyne). Also, sharing in loving memory are a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Obituary written by Faith E. Fletcher, PhD, MA.