Remembering CFD lecturer Joanne Brady
The San Diego State University College of Education mourns the passing of lecturer Joanne Brady, an educator passionate about working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. She died on March 29 after a brief illness.
Brady, 64, had taught in the Department of Child and Family Development (CFD) since 2011, supervising practicum students in the Early Childhood Transdisciplinary Education and Mental Health (EC-TEaMH) advanced certificate program. CFD Associate Professor Sarah Rieth, who directs the program, remembers her as an effective and enthusiastic colleague with a welcoming personality.
"Her dedication to child development and early childhood mental health was evident in every aspect of her teaching and professional work," Rieth said. "Her approach to teaching emphasized the importance of reflective practice, self-care and building meaningful relationships for growth of all kinds — for her students with disabilities and her SDSU students.”
In the College, no one knew Brady better than Erin Grettenberger, lecturer in the Department of Special Education. The two became fast friends as students at the University of San Diego in the late 1970s.
"You could always count on her to be there for you," Grettenberger said. "She was a great listener with compassion who was uniquely able to support her master’s students. I feel like she was able to pull from her students their biggest fears and their biggest questions. She guided them through the college process but also gave them the strength to continue on with their careers."
Outside of SDSU, Brady taught adults with intellectual disabilities and spent three decades as a development specialist and early interventionist at San Diego Unified School District.
“I was fortunate to have worked with and learned from Joanne in two of my careers — first at the Neighborhood House Association Early Head Start program and later in CFD," said Sarah Garrity, senior associate dean and CFD professor. "While at Early Head Start, Joanne was a fierce advocate for babies and an excellent role model for Early Head Start staff. She was compassionate, kind and fully committed to supporting children, families and teachers to reach their full potential."
A native of Maryland, Brady was an avid dancer, singer and rock climber. She leaves behind two sons, Brady and Riley Wagstaff.
Members of the COE community who knew Joanne Brady are invited to contribute messages about Joanne’s impact on students and the early childhood field.
