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Meet Your Neighbor: Leslie Strasser Murdock
By Callie Thomas
While the spirit is willing, 89012 resident Leslie Strasser Murdock has to remind herself that she cannot always do it all, but she can still make a difference. This natural go-getter is enthusiastic about her work, family and making sure that the needs of foster children with disabilities are represented daily on everything from special education to other school related issues. Murdock has always been an active voice for her passions – teaching, children and making sure people are informed of their rights. She’s found a perfect fit for her enthusiasm with her role as a Special Education Advocate and Coordinator of the Educational Surrogate Parent Program with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
Murdock has a great deal of expertise in this area, having worked as the Coordinator of the Kids’ Court School at UNLV and as a special education teacher in New York City and Seattle. She moved to Las Vegas to pursue her Juris Doctor in Law and a PhD in Educational Psychology to work in the field of Special Education and Child Advocacy Law at UNLV, which houses one of the only joint PhD/JD programs in the country. As an Advocate and Coordinator of the Educational Surrogate Parent Program, she helps train community members to become advocates for foster children with disabilities in local schools. As a wife and mother of daughters Ella and Lila, Murdock understands the hopes and dreams of other parents and wants to ensure that she lives her life as an example to her children. Murdock spoke with us about her work with child advocacy and other charitable organizations and about what being a part of the Las Vegas community has meant to this New York transplant.
What do you enjoy most about your work at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the Educational Surrogate Parent Program?
“I’m lucky to work at the Center as the work we do that gives people access to justice they might not have otherwise. I get to use both my advocacy and teaching skills to ensure that foster children with disabilities have their special education needs met by their schools. I am so fortunate to support and work with more than 80 volunteers who dedicate a great deal of time to their advocacy children.”
What’s a day in the life like at the Center?
“I spend a lot of time attending school-based meetings for parents and with my volunteers advocating for their children. I think it takes a team based approach to working with the kids. Having the necessary educational and emotional support in their school and home lives can make all the difference in the world.”
Even with your busy schedule, you also find time to be involved in the Jewish Community Center.
“Yes, I am on the Board of Directors and excited that we now have a JCC location open right in this zip code. As a Jew, I want my children to grow up in the community and revel in the Jewish religion and culture like I did when I was growing up.”
Seven years ago, when you first came to Las Vegas, did you find it hard to acclimate to the Vegas life?
“As soon as I arrived, there were so many incredible local people that made it easy to get involved in the community. Moving from New York, where it is hard to get involved due to the sheer numbers of people and well established institutions, I was surprised how people were open to meeting others here.”
Tell us something you think others in the community would be surprised to know about you.
“Believe it or not, I have never seen a Godfather or Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. I just recently saw my first James Bond film. Apparently, I have lived a sheltered life!”
