Many people who meet Mr. Smith do not think of him as a classroom teacher at an elementary school. Yet, Mr. Smith has enjoyed being a 1st and 2nd grade teacher for over 16 years. Mr. Smith says that his interest in becoming a teacher is the result of a series of empowering teachers that he himself had at school. He said that starting in 6th grade, he continued to have teachers who simply believed in him, and helped him when he needed help the most. Later at high school, a bus-driver child-care program that gave high school students an opportunity to take care of these children was the beginning of Mr. Smith's work with pre-school students - followed by other jobs in day care centers in the community. At that time, he knew that he wanted to continue to work with children. He found himself in a dilemma as he thought of founding his very own day care, but did not want to deal with the bureaucracy and paperwork of owning a business. Mr. Smith stated that he has been fortunate throughout the years to have opportunities to work with children in the capacity that he dreamed of; and eventually, become a teacher.
Mr. Smith spoke very fondly about his experiences in early childhood education, and the opportunities that he has as a coach at high school that allow him to complete a full circle in many of his students' lives. He said that "I see them when they are 6-7 years old, then in the community, and then again at the high school". Seeing their growth is important - something that he enjoys.
When asked about his thoughts about the teaching profession, Mr. Smith said that this job is about molding lives. Setting students up for their future. "It is our job as educators to mold them into successful people". That is something that cannot happen just in the classroom. Every day, Mr. Smith finds opportunities to walk around in the cafeteria at North Elementary School to be seen and to be available for the students. Not only as a teacher, but as a male role model at an elementary school. He said that he finds it important to tell students who he is. "Hello, I am Mr. Smith and I teach 1st grade". Why? "Because it is rare to see an African American male teaching 1st grade anywhere in America", he says. "But that is what I do. I am real".
After leaving North Elementary School, Mr. Smith heads over to the football fields to coach. Interestingly, he stated that years ago, he never really wanted to be a coach - but his very own high school coach got him into it. Mr. Smith coached for a few years at the college, and that is how it all got started. In June of 2018, after being a defensive coordinator and assistant coach for the Okeechobee High School football team, Mr. Smith was chosen to be the high school head football coach. This is something that he agreed to do, but it forced him to get out of his comfort zone - or "his shell". He admitted that the first year of coaching was rough, and that just like teaching, coaching continues to have its own frustrations. But at the end of the day, it is not about managing the team or finances. It is about managing the kids and their lives. That has made the task more comfortable, he said. Mr. Smith believes that the relationships that he created with students and adults that play important roles in these students' lives have allowed people to see a different side of him, and have made him more approachable.When asked what Mr. Smith would like to tell his former students, he stated that it is important to keep their heart open for the world that is out there. He said that we cannot stop ourselves from growing, but too often, this is exactly what happens. Many students just get stuck in a rut, and never make it to where their potential could take them. Mr. Smith talked passionately about colleges that are out there, and the importance of learning about the opportunities that these schools provide. He said that this is very difficult for students who feel like they have made it when graduating from high school because this might be the highest achievement in their family. Mr. Smith wants to encourage these students to keep going, and feels that educators (at all levels) are in a position to expose our students to what all is out there.
Even though Mr. Smith is originally not from Okeechobee, this town has a very special place in his life. He spoke keenly about the positives that this town has brought to his life - including his wife and his beautiful children. He said that he loves this community like he was born here. But he also worries about our community and students within it who might not have the most stable lives. Then again, he said, this is a town that comes together when we need to come together. He spoke about the high school bonfire, the homecoming parade, and the small town atmosphere in general that makes Okeechobee a home for many. He said that he wishes we could do things like that more often. Especially because there is no mall, or other fun things that might be available on the coast or further down south. And that is why, he feels, it is more important than ever that those who have had the opportunity to go, see, and do, would come back to our community and share their experiences. "We owe that to our students", he said.
Mr. Smith would like to encourage young people who have left and done great things to come back and tell their stories. Especially those who were perhaps not set up for success, but went and did it anyway.
Finally, Mr. Smith spoke about the student-parent relationships, and emphasized the importance of parents being the first educators. Educators who teach students about life, and being able to make wise choices in life. "Wise, not just right", he said. Many of us always make right choices because that is what we are supposed to do, but without a deeper connection to the actual reasons for why these choices are right. For example, he says, people should not drive under the influence not only because that is not right, but also because they should not want to put others in danger. That is being wise. We must teach students to see the difference, and prevent them from making unwise choices that can have a long lasting impact on their lives.
Mr. Smith finished his story by saying that eventually, the kids will need to choose what they will do, and they must choose wisely. He encourages students and his children to go out there and make a difference. To make a difference not only in their life, but also in a community in which they live.
Dr. Tuuli Robinson
Educator and Lifelong Learner
(Photos provided by Mr. Ty Smith)
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