“From the moment I met Ms. Smithson I knew she was something special. This teacher lives and breathes her students and has a heart of pure gold. She makes it a point to prove to her students how kindness has a ripple effect, and when you are kind… You are successful in life. Not only does Ms. Smithson make her class a welcoming, fun, and safe environment… But she makes sure that each individual student knows how much she loves them in and out of the classroom. She always finds a way to make sure her students know that they’re one of her top priorities. Whether that means attending extracurricular activities during the weekends… Showing up on their front door during their birthdays… buying them each a book every month… or sending sweet notes home. I have never seen a day where Ms. Smithson is not smiling when she’s with her students. You can tell they are her heart. This teacher balances going to grad school full-time, being a full-time mother, and being a full-time teacher with such grace. She is a role model for all of her students and I believe this teacher needs to be recognized for her ability to pour her heart into every student she comes across. The community is very fortunate to have a teacher like Ms. Smithson!”

Nominated by Brenda Kreide