CMLF Favorite Teachers Award - Meet Misty Smith, TeWinkle Middle School
We interviewed each of the final four candidates for the Costa Mesa Library Foundation's "Favorite Teacher Award" in an effort to enable our readers to to get to know them a little better. This is Part 4 of our 4 part series of interviews...(Misty Smith is an English and AVID Teacher at TeWinkle Middle School. - Editor) Were you aware of the Favorite Teacher Awards before you were informed that you were a nominee? (IF YES - ) Did you think you had a chance to be nominated? (why?)
I was aware of the Favorite Teacher Awards. My AVID classes have submitted entries to CMLF essays contests for the past two years. We had award winning student essays both years. I am privleged to teach wonderul, hardworking students with amazing talents. I encourged my students not to write about me as I wanted them to feel free to write about any teacher they have had in the past. I have a special connection with my AVID students, so it was especially heart-warming to learn that many of them did write about me. What made you want to become a teacher?
My senior year of undergrad I volunteered at an orphanage in Mozambique. I was charged with teaching a conversational English class. This experience made me entertain the idea of teaching, but I went into the corporate world for two years after undergrad. I learned many valuable lessons during this two year experience, but it was never enough. I longed for the connection of the classroom and the intrinsic rewards that come along with it. Teaching, to me, is a profession that gives back and is meaningful. It is trying, but fulfilling and rewarding.
What experiences, not related to your job or education, do you feel prepared you the most for teaching?
I feel that my own rocky path to higher education has cultivated a desire in me to make that road easier and more informed for others. I identify with those students who will be the first in their families to attend a university. I love to see them succeed! It is the most rewarding part of the job.
I also love to travel to developing countries, to learn the cultures, and to see the world beyond our own. I have traveled to some of the home countries of my students and I feel that this helps me to understand them more as an individual and connect with them. What do you consider to be your biggest strengths as a teacher?
Although I am no where near perfect, I feel that I am a pretty patient and understanding person. I try to see situations from not only my perspective, but also from my students'. I try to make decisons based upon this. I expect my students to respect themselves and others, in turn, I expect that I treat them respectfully as well. A respectful environment is so much more productive.
Costa Mesa Library Foundation President Barbara Steck was quoted as saying, "You can never give too much credit to the teachers." What does this mean to you?
I sincerely appreciate that comment. There is so much pressure on teachers to prepare students for the increasing demands of further education and career that sometimes there are more negative comments than positive in the media. I am surrounded by hard working, caring professionals at TeWinkle, so this is my perspective of teachers. It is disheartening when I see negative comments because I feel that if others saw what I see everyday, then they would know that there are so many amazing teachers out there.
Growing up, who was your favorite teacher and why? (Grade, subject, City, State, District and/or school, for reference, if you will)
My favorite teacher was Mr. Hollier who was my 11th grade honors history teacher in a small town in Texas. He was a positive male role model and I knew that he truly cared about us. His projects were engaging and allowed a lot of room for individual creativity as well as content knowledge. He read one book per week and I had never met someone who read that much. He inspired me to become more educated. Not only did he teach us about American history, but he also had a personality in class. He seemed like he wanted to be there with us. I wanted to work hard for him to make him proud. I still keep in touch with him today. He is still the same encouraging, positive person that I remember. Please forgive my ignorance, but what is AVID?No worries :) AVID is an acronym for Advancement via Individual Determination. It's a nation wide 6-12 course that teaches students college awareness as well as critical thinking, reading and writing skills. We have curriculum days on Mondays and Wednesdays, Tutorial with college tutors on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and organizational/ team building/ fieldtrips on Fridays. At TeWinkle, we take two college fieldtrips per year as well as one fieldtrip to Saddleback Hospital to learn about medical career fields. Most students are middle-of-the-range students who will be the first in their family to attend college. We are charged with preparing them for the rigor of high school and beyond and guiding them towards the college track.
This one is just for fun - What color is the outfit that you plan to wear to the Gala?I have no idea what I will wear, but it will probably involve black as it is a staple for me. :)
You must know Denise McKenzie and Rebeca Millam, two of the other finalists, both your colleagues at TeWinkle. Do you also know Cindy Fernald, the other nominee for this award?...and can you describe each of them in one sentence? Do you think it's a coincidence that all four nominees for this year's award have spent time teaching at Mesa Verde Schools? (Ms. Fernald taught at Adams Elementary until June 2013.)I do not know Ms. Fernald, but I am not surprised that all four teachers are from the Mesa-Verde side of town.
Denise McKenzie is one of the most dedicated, inspiring, caring, and hardworking teachers I have ever met.
Rebeca Millam is an innovative and creative teacher who makes history come alive for her students.