Welcome!
My office is located in the English office on the second floor.
Office Hours: 1st and 6th blocks. After school, before school by appointment.
Contacting Mrs. Smith:
My preferred method of contact is email: ajsmith@lps.k12.co.us
Office number: 303 347-7693
Voicemail: 303 734-6659
A bit about me...
I'm a Colorado girl. I was born in Littleton, Colorado. I am proud to say that I am a product of Littleton Public Schools: I attended Hopkins, Powell, and Arapahoe. I then went to Durango for two years and attended Ft. Lewis College and finished my degree in Greeley at the University of Northern Colorado where I graduated Cum Laude in 2005. Having completed my student-teaching at Heritage, and am lucky enough to have worked here for my entire career since 2006. I also earned my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2020.
Outside of the classroom, as you can probably guess, I do a LOT of reading. I love reading historical fiction (my favorite period to read about is World War II), but will read pretty much anything, and am always open to suggestions. My two sons are the joy of my life, and I love taking them on hikes, going to the park, the library, the museum, and the pool. I also love cooking, and spending time with my husband and our adorable dog, Milo.
My Teaching Philosophy:
I believe that school should teach us more about ourselves and the world around us. After all, "not for school, but for life we learn" (Seneca). One of the best ways to learn more about ourselves, the way we think, and the way others perceive the world is through great literature. That's why I became a teacher: to teach people through great literature. And I learn a lot myself (and you) along the way! I use the classroom as a springboard to learn more about life, society, and our roles as global citizens. We read a lot of great literature that has great merit. Then, we think, discuss and write about that great literature and how it influences the world and our place in it.
My greatest goals as a teacher are to help students see the value in literature (and human expression in general), and to become critical thinkers who can understand and evaluate their surroundings.
