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Photographed by Sophie Millstein (12-3)
Ms. Smith, Masterman’s new Biology teacher, comes from a family of educators. Ms. Smith shared that “my mom was a teacher, my grandparents were teachers, my sister teaches and my brother has taught.” Ms. Smith was introduced to the education field as a teenager when she attended Saturday masters classes with her mother. Here, she discovered that she enjoyed studying how people learn and the functions of the brain. After researching cognition and neuroscience in college, Ms. Smith eventually decided to pursue a master's in education. She now shares her passion for her culture and sciences with her students.
Transitioning from one school to another has brought new challenges for Ms. Smith. She confesses that “there was some nervousness because I want to make sure the students feel challenged.” In her past positions, Ms. Smith was used to having “heterogenous” student bodies with new language learners and varying reading levels. Having taught 7th and 8th graders in the past, Ms. Smith is currently adjusting to how “high school functions, the shorter period time blocks, and the different levels of students.” However, Ms. Smith likes how her students are extremely inquisitive and keep her on her toes. She also “loves the science department, how well they collaborate and how welcoming they’ve been.”
Ms. Smith juggles her personal life and her school life in the best way she can. In the past, she would usually arrive at school very early and leave around 6:00 p.m. However, she is now trying to leave no later than 4:30 p.m. She confesses that “the work is never-ending… when I get home, even if I want to grade, my brain says ‘no you need to prepare food so you can eat, and there are other things you need to do.’” In other words, Ms. Smith is working on finding a source of balance in her life. Outside of her busy workdays, you can find Ms. Smith at her church, exercising at the gym, or watching her favorite movie The Lion King, along with some episodes of The Big Bang Theory. In her free time, Ms. Smith also enjoys performing Afrocuban and West African dance with her sister. Her passion for dance began when she was a child when she frequently performed in her church. As Ms. Smith hears the rhythmic pounding of the drums while dancing, her pulse quickens and “a feeling of euphoria” overtakes her. Ms. Smith also enjoys the rich history of West African and Afrocuban dance. She expresses that “knowing that my ancestors danced these different rhythms thousands of years ago allows me to stay connected to my heritage and who I am.”
At Masterman, Ms. Smith hopes to build strong relationships with her students. She claims that “children will not learn well from someone they don’t like or who they think doesn't like them.” Therefore, she believes that establishing these bonds are the most difficult to accomplish, but also the most important responsibility any educator has. Throughout her twelve and a half years of educating, Ms. Smith has discovered that once you form a bond with a student, “they will give you a window into their life.” At Masterman, Ms. Smith currently teaches two life science classes and two biology classes. She also supervises the Junior Seminar. Additionally, she sponsors the African American Cultural Club (AACC) and supports the Hispanic or Latino Association (HOLA) Middle School (HAMS) club. Ms. Smith looks forward to sharing her passion for her culture and biology with the Masterman student body.
Kulu Mele
Kulu Mele
Ms. Smith's sister will be performing in the 50th anniversary Kulu Mele's dance show featuring the world premiere "Ogun and The People" in November. Kulu Mele is a multimedia work of American dance theater based in Afro-Cuban culture.
Come show your support!
Kulu Mele's Ogun & The People
Saturday, November 30, 2019- 8:00 p.m.
Annenberg Center
3680 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139.
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