Former OISD student named Mesquite ISD Teacher of the Year

Stephanie Smith was selected as Mesquite Independent School District Elementary Teacher of the Year. She teaches second grade at Dr. Linda Henrie Elementary School which is one of the thirty-three elementary schools in MISD.

Stephanie attended Olney schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade and credits a great deal of her success to the influence of many teachers and administrators of Olney Independent School District as excellent role models for her. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University and Master’s Degree from Texas A & M Commerce and continues learning from fellow teachers and administrators in the Mesquite Independent School District.

Stephanie’s strongest beliefs and philosophies about teaching not only include curriculum and student achievement but, more importantly, building relationships with students and their families and helping parents become strong advocates for their children. After teaching for 24 years, she feels very fortunate to have contact with past students and presently teaches a student whose mother was in her class years ago. Stephanie has high expectations for her students and holds them accountable for their learning and their behavior in the classroom as well as in the community, even long after they have moved beyond her grade level.

Stephanie said, “Being a successful teacher means adapting and adjusting to whatever we encounter to best serve our students. Because education is ever- changing, we must be flexible and be willing to attack the challenges we face with positivity, humor, and resilience.”