Doris Hancock Papers (MS-00282)

School teacher and artist Doris Hancock arrived in Las Vegas in December 1924, with the intention of only staying for six months. She agreed to accept a temporary position teaching kindergarten at John S. Park School, but then fell in love with Las Vegas and stayed to teach kindergarten at that school for 39 years. Before coming to Las Vegas, Hancock taught in Iowa, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, and Nebraska. She received her degree from Colorado State College of Education at Greeley and took advanced training in colleges and universities in Arizona, Utah, California, and Nevada.

Hancock was a charter member of Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and was one of the founders of the State organization. She organized and was president of the Association for Childhood Education International in Las Vegas. She also held several offices in her Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O) chapter, serving as president for two years. In addition, she had been chosen Woman of the Year in 1949 by the Business and Professional Women's Club in Las Vegas. On her retirement in 1963 Doris was honored at a testimonial dinner given by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She held a life membership in the National congress of Parents and Teachers. She was the recipient of The Nevada Outstanding Citizen Award. In September 1962, she was recognized by the Rotary Club as their first Teacher of the Week. In 1965 Doris Hancock Elementary School was named for her in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Her other interests included western history and art, particularly painting and drawing. She studied under a number of well-known artists and exhibited and sold a number of her paintings. Hancock helped to organize the Las Vegas Art League.

After her retirement, she moved to San Diego, California to be near relatives. Doris Hancock passed away in 1987 at the age of 91.

Source:

"Doris Hancock." Doris Hancock Elementary. Accessed February 28, 2020. https://www.hancockes.com/copy-of-namesake