Sally Smith, Founder of The Lab School, Mourned By Thousands

Many years ago, Sally Smith noticed that her young son, who was challenged by many learning disabilities, “came alive” during the themed birthday parties she threw for him.  Usually unable to remember the alphabet, her son could recall the details of the parties even years later. 

She began to develop activities–incorporating drama, music, art, and storytelling–that helped her son learn.  In time, she started The Lab School, a revolutionary educational facility for intelligent young students challenged by learning disabilities like her son’s. 

Sally Smith has taught thousands of students who found it impossible to learn in a traditional school setting.  Her imaginative approach to teaching offered hope and tremendous new possibilities to those who were considered–and who considered themselves–useless as students. 

Sadly, Sally Smith died this week at the age of 78.  Her original school in Washington, DC is going strong and there are now plans to spread her teaching approach and start new schools in other cities around the US. 

You can learn more about Sally Smith and The Lab School by visiting the school’s website, reading Sally’s bio, listening to an NPR report or watching a recent Today Show video interview with Sally.  She wrote many wonderfully vibrant and informative books about teaching those with learning disabilities, including this one, this one, and this one.

Sally Smith will be mourned by the thousands of students, parents, and teachers whose lives she transformed by her loving and creative approach to learning.