ALL ABOUT ME

My name is Ashley Smith. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, two amazing sons, and one spectacular miniature schnauzer. I grew up in Laurel County, but moved to Somerset about twenty years ago. I graduated from Midway University with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. I continued my education at University of the Cumberlands and earned my Master's in Reading and Writing Specialist and Rank I in Educational Leadership.

I was placed at Oak Hill for my student teaching experience sixteen years ago and have been there ever since. I taught several grades during my fifteen year tenure (2nd, 4th, 5th, and now 3rd). I LOVE teaching the remarkable students at Oak Hill and working with the best staff and parents in the world. In addition to teaching 3rd Grade Reading, I work with our Kindness Club and Chorus and Drama.

To me, teaching is so much more than the content of subject areas. Teaching is about building relationships with students and parents. My first priority is to truly get to know each child. As a parent, I know how important it is to my sons when a teacher takes a true interest in their lives. Communication between teacher and parents is an incredibly crucial part of getting to know the child and the child's academic success. Each one of us wants to feel valuable and loved. Once children feel that self-worth and love, they will feel safe enough to set their sights high and have the confidence to work hard to achieve their dreams!

I try to instill the "never give up" mentality in my classroom. Mistakes are a vital part of learning and I want my students to understand that from the start. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. That's okay! Wouldn't the world be boring if we were all exactly the same? When you have to work hard for something, doesn't the result of accomplishment seem so much bigger than if the task was easy?