Memories of Stradley Smith

In memory of

Stradley Smith

Greensboro, NC

September 20, 1969 - August 17, 2020

Sep 20, 1969 - Aug 17, 2020

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James Isenhower

Morehead Street, Morganton, NC, USA

Stradley was my neighbor growing up sad to hear she left us — with Stradley Smith

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Meredith Kasten

Stradley was such a soft and gentle person, and so supportive. I will always remember her overseeing my student teaching at CCEP. She walked in to observe me one day and noticed me sitting on the bathroom floor with a child who was having a rough day. It was loud. Stradley looked at me and said, "I'll come back another day!" I was so relieved to hear that! Not only did it take the pressure off me, but it showed me that Stradley was such a real person. She sensed it was a tough day, and gave me a pass.
She was also my instructor for the student teaching course at UNCG. She'd never remember this, but I always will. One day on the way to class, I got a call that my sister had her baby, who was born with down syndrome. I immediately sat down on a bench outside Stone and cried, for a good long time. I emailed Stradley later in the evening to apologize for not being in class, and told her what was going on. She understood and told me not to apologize. Once again, she showed me she was a real human, and made space for me to be a real human too. Sometimes that's all we need.

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Carol Jordan

Stradley was a friend, colleague and supporter. She was forever passionate about early childhood and her reputation as a great classroom teacher preceded her. When I got my first job in early childhood in downtown Greensboro I kept hearing about Stradley! She was fantastic and had worked at the program where I was before I got there. Fast forward a few years and there she was at UNCG! We had mutual friends and spent a lot of time together while I was working on my graduate studies. She joined the board of directors at the school I started with my sister and became the longest serving board member, staying with our school for the entire 12 years that we operated. She showed up to every single event we had for years and organized many more. When we closed she was the board president and guided everyone through the legal process of closing and the supported us personally as we moved to new ventures.
She was an advocate for professionals, for students and for families. And she was my friend. I can't find the words to say everything I want to about Stradley Smith but I am so sorry she left us so early.

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Karen La Paro

Stradley's dedication to the development teachers for young children was admirable. I observed her teaching of courses several times and always noted the relationships that she had formed with students and the easy and comfortable discussions occurring. Stradley's easy manner served adults students and young children well. I had many conversations with her on the playground at Curry while she was teaching in the childcare program. My son liked to draw pictures for her and she proudly hung them on her office door. Stradley was a strong advocate for the field of early childhood education and will be missed.

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Tamara Patterson

"You're Beautiful"
God bless your "Holy Spirit" because it is still among us!

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Hatice Ghulamani

2020, Greensboro, NC, USA

I have a text from Stradley I received a week before she graduated this life. It was a beautiful message filled with all of her passion and dreams for the BK field and teacher education. She was a passionate educator and cared so much about the children and college students she taught and cared for. I will cherish her last message to me, a message filled with much happiness and hope. It is a beautiful memory. Stradley was a colleague and great friend, a good listener, would console me through rough days with empathy and understanding, truly a supportive friend and colleague.

Stradley, I miss you.

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Anne Fletcher

Greensboro, NC

I loved running into Stradley in the Stone hallways and dropping everything to visit for a few minutes. I always scanned the seating at faculty meetings, trying to find a seat next to her, because her closeness made me feel safe and valued. When I moved to Greensboro, alone and with a new puppy, Stradley was the one who checked up on the two of us regularly by sending and requesting photos of our respective "fur babies," inviting me into her home, and meeting me for dinner at Sticks and Stones. Her last communication to me was a texted photo of one of her much-loved pets, and it haunts me that I did not know it was the last time I would hear from her. I will miss her so much! The world is a darker place place for all of us without Stradley's light in it.

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Mauri Mckoy

This was a tough one. Disappointed. Sad. Broken-hearted. Speechless. That’s how I felt when I heard the shocking news 😢 Stradley, Stradley..where do I even begin? When I arrived at UNCG fresh out of high school, you were the first one to help me get signed up for my classes. You were my guide, my mentor, my advisor, my instructor. You’ve been a valuable resource in my life all these years & you’ve taught me so much. I remember you showed up to my wedding in 2016 and boy did you dance!!! I’ll never forget running into you at Total Wine and you had 2 bottles in your hand and when you saw me you hid them behind your back and said, “Mauri! I don’t have anything”😂, and I said “Stradley! I don’t have anything either!” (hiding my wine also). You saw me through my own student teaching experience and helped me to get licensed, remained in my journey because I became a cooperating teacher for a recent student of yours, and you wrote such a beautiful letter to help me get into the MS/PhD Program at UNCG this fall. We had talked SO MUCH recently about your new journey you had just started and man were you excited!! It’s like now there’s so many questions I want to ask you😔 Stradley, Stradley. You were always my favorite. You helped me get to where I am today. I want you to know, I’m now doing this for YOU. Wherever my name goes, yours will be also. Whatever work I do, I will honor you! I truly love you & I’m gonna miss you , I still can’t believe you’re gone 💔

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Carol Jordan

Sudha Shreeniwas

Stradley was my 'office neighbor' for a while at UNCG. She was always such a helpful, pleasant, and kind person to see and interact with. I knew I would feel better every time I chatted with her. I am fortunate to have known her during her years at UNCG. I do miss you, Stradley.

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Linda Hestenes

I am very grateful that I had the honor to know Stradley and to work with her for so many years. We first met Stradley when our sons were at CCEP, and we so excited when Stradley was assigned as our younger son's teacher in Curry 205. Stradley was such an amazing teacher and a ray of sunlight for our family. I was also blessed to work alongside her as a colleague in the Department. I have many wonderful memories of our times together across numerous BK faculty meetings and just sharing time together in the hallway or in one of our offices. She was a true gem and will be greatly missed by all of us. Her legacy of support for young children and families continues on through the numerous teachers and children whose lives she touched in such a deep manner.

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Michelle Pritchard

1985, Freedom High School, Independence Boulevard, Morganton, NC, USA

Where to begin? Studying in high school, riding in her yellow car listening to The Cars, traveling to concerts, from Buddy Guy to the Pixies, traveling to the Caribbean to Grenada, Curaçao , etc. and scuba diving with sharks...Probably my most favorite memories are just hanging out and watching movies, reading and trading books, and talking. She was one of my best friends from age 15-50 and there are no words to express how much I miss her. Thank you for the page and the memories. It makes my heart happy to see so many people that she touched. I know she loved her field, and her children, and her students. She will be missed and will always be loved. xoxo

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Michelle Pritchard

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Felisha Goldston

I am so sad to hear of the passing of Ms. Smith. I remember the care and support she gave through my student teaching at CCEP. She was always warm and welcomed any thoughts and concerns I may have had. Her support helped me to become the teacher I am today. I will be forever grateful.

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Lorraine Cornell

I cannot believe that she is gone. She is one of the best teachers I had at UNCG! She helped me get through student teaching as well as the seminar and encouraged me so much! She was so supportive! I will me her so much. I am thankful for all the support she has given me, been references for me for teaching positions, and gave me multiple pieces of advice for teaching. I would not be the teacher I am today without her! Now I am a kindergarten teacher and all I have learned was from her. She is amazing!! All teachers are very lucky to have her and I know her memory will always be at UNCG!

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Carol Jordan

Juana Lopez

I remember when I first met Stradley, we meet through email. I was so intimidated by her..because of her name! And then, I talked to her via phone. .. I was relieved, Stradley was soooo unbelievably nice to me! She helped me, both academically and personally! I enjoyed our conversations about our animals, sucky luck with our health and how to be the best educator that I possibly can! I honestly do not know what to say, I am just heartbroken and upset because she truly was a remarkable soul! I will always remember her and her kind words.. and her smile and laugh!

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Lorraine Cornell

Comments:

Lorraine Cornell

Very true!!! Very true!!! Very true!!!

Tearra Sutton

Instructor Stradley Smith was simply amazing during my time at UNCG. I remember reaching out to her when I found out I was pregnant in my last semester before graduating. She was so caring giving me the advice on what to do and reaching out to me right before giving birth to check on me and the baby. When it was time for come back to finish my last semester she was simply AMAZING helping me getting back into the routine after giving birth. I thank you for believing in me and helping me reach milestone of finishing my degree ❤️

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Lorraine Cornell

Comments:

Lorraine Cornell

She always cared about others above herself She always cared about others above herself She always cared about others above herself

Courtney Gregory

2020

Stradley Smith was a great educator. She truly cared about her students, and she gave out her personal number so that we could reach her and ask questions. I’m very thankful for her leadership and connection with me. ❤️

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Lorraine Cornell

Hannah York

2019, Greensboro, NC, USA

Stradley was an amazing professor who got me through the trials and tribulations of student teaching. If it wasn’t for her I would not be the teacher I am today. She was always so supportive and willing to listen.

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Lorraine Cornell

Caroline Kernahan

2002, Greensboro, NC, USA

The first time I saw Stradley was in the CCEP Curry classroom in 2002. I was a student employee. She walked in, and it was like a movie star had come in the room. The kids kept yelling her name and crowding around her. It was clear she was someone important. I always thought that, for kids to react that way around her, Stradley must be a little bit magic.

In 2008 I began working with her as Graduate Secretary in the HDFS Dept. I always enjoyed our interactions. The loss of Stradley is a loss to the whole world. We will miss her.

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Danielle Crosby

I was so fortunate to work with Stradley as a member of the BK faculty group and I have missed her presence among us. She had an incredible warmth about her, with a bright smile and an easy laugh. When I had the opportunity to observe her teaching our early childhood students, it was very clear that she'd established wonderful rapport with them. They valued her insight and advice and knew they could fully count on her support as they navigated student teaching. Her caring, generous, and creative spirit always shone through.

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Heather Helms

I am so grateful to Stradley for the love she extended to both of my boys at CCEP. Stradley had a way of making small children feel seen and valued. My boys were instantly comfortable in her comforting and safe presence. She extended her love and soul to each child with whom she came in contact and truly saw and valued them as individuals. My boys, Dylan and Henry, flourished under her care and watchful eye, and I am forever grateful to Stradley for this gift. We are all better for having known Stradley. -- Heather Helms

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Courtney Sowers

Catherine Scott-Little

2004, Curry Playground

Stradley with my daughter Rebecca

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Courtney Sowers

Lorraine Cornell

Sharon Mims

Stradley and Deb at a CCEP gathering

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Courtney Sowers

Carol Jordan

Comments:

Sharon Mims

There are two things I will always remember about Stradley. One is her kindness. This kindness extended... Read more There are two things I will always remember about Stradley. One is her kindness. This kindness extended to everyone around her... Read more There are two things I will always remember about Stradley.... Read more