I have been teaching at the Washington Center since 2022 and absolutely love being here! This year will be my 24th year in education and 20th year in special education. I graduated from Coker College in Hartsville, SC with a Bachelor's degree in Education. I earned a Master's degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. I am originally from Columbus, Georgia. I have a daughter (Jenna) and a son (Austin). I also have two beautiful grandsons (Mercer and Ben). In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, boating, and working in the yard. I love teaching and I look forward to a great year!
My name is Laxmi Bugarin. I am originally from San Diego, California. I have an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and I am currently working toward my degree in Special Education. I am passionate about supporting all children in their learning journey. I enjoy creating a nurturing and engaging classroom environment where learners can grow and thrive. As a proud mother of three, I bring both professional knowledge and real-life experience to my teaching and I am excited to help your child learn and succeed!
My name is Stefanie Smith. I have over 30 years of experience working in special education. I am dedicated to supporting students of all abilities and helping them reach their full potential. I hold an associate degree of Applied Science and have spent my career building strong relationships with students, families, and educators. Outside of work, I enjoy life with my husband and our daughter who continually inspire me to grow both personally and professionally.