Alpena

I began working at Alpena School District in 1997 as a teachers’ aide. It was while I was working in this job position that I discovered my love for teaching children how to read.

In 1998, I attended EAST facilitator training under the tutelage of Tim Stephens, the creator of the EAST concept. Along with John Hodges, I opened the EAST Lab in Alpena High School.  It was a great priviledge to work alongside other EAST facilitators across the state of Arkansas to develop the fledgling program to become what it is today. 

It was during this time as EAST facilitator, that Mr. Robert Smalley, our Superintendent at the time, encouraged me to finish getting my teaching degree. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to him and the others who kept me going in the right direction and kept up the positive encouragement during the pursuit of my teaching degree. Attending college full-time while also working as a full-time EAST facilitator, yearbook sponser, parent center coordinator, wife and mother of four children was a daunting task, but was all worth it when I graduated magna cum laude in 2004.

I later went on to earn my Master of Education in Reading in 2013 and earning a place in Alpha Chi National Colleg Honor Scholarship Society.

After receiving my teaching degree, I have taught in the following areas at Alpena: Jr. High Early American History, Jr. High Modern American History, Jr. High Ancient World History, Jr. High Arkansas History, Jr. High Reading, Jr. High Science (7^th & 8^th grades), Yearbook sponser (13 years), 5^th & 6^th grade American History, District Reading Specialist, and 7^th Grade English.

I am married to Joe M. Smith who is a 1974 graduate of Alpena High School.

We have four children who attended Alpena all 13 years of school. They are: Nathan 1999, Dustin 2001, Emily 2009, and Ryan 2012.  We also enjoy five grandchildren: Donovin, Matthew, Logan, Peyton, and Lily.

My hobbies include singing, sewing, photography, and reading.  I love going on hikes with my husband and I also like to travel.