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Getting to know Miss Smith

A little bit about me...

     Some of you may already know me from last year, and that's great! For those of you that don't, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Miss Stefanie Smith and I am so excited to be teaching 8th grade Social Studies on Team 802 this year! I feel strongly that all students can and should learn to read like a historian. That is going to be our ultimate goal for this school year. I have studied and obtained degrees from the Savannah College of Art and Design and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and I am currently attending Mercer University.

 

Some fun facts about me:

  •  Try not to get me confused with the other Miss Smith on Team 801 -- we are sisters, but not twins.

  • I began my career as a historic preservationist and archaeologist, so I truly get excited about history.

  • My hobbies include reading, trail running, hiking, and mountain biking.

  • I have a dog and two cats that I absolutely adore. You will get lots of stories about them, I am sure.

   

My teaching philosophy...

     Education is something that I am deeply passionate about. I strongly believe that each and every one of my students is capable of achieving things that they have never even considered. I hope to be able to provide the tools to help each of you achieve beyond what you ever thought possible.

     I believe that it is important to provide students with opportunities to learn in a variety of formats and settings. I believe that we live in a digital world where tools and tricks of the past are not obsolete, but rather invaluable resources for understanding how we got here. When living in a digital age, each student should be able to develop the skills to put technology to use while also collaborating with peers in order to achieve an ultimate goal.

     In my classroom, you will have the opportunity to refine your technological skills, your one-on-one and group collaboration skills, and you will learn to balance the use of technology and traditional research and work methods appropriately. The tools and resources that I have included in our class website are by no means the only ones available. There are thousands of resources out there that can help you develop as an active learner. Here, I have provided you with a diverse taster plate, if you will, of online resources that will enhance your learning no matter where you are in your academic journey.

     No two students are going to be in exactly the same place in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, and educational needs. I hope that I can provide my students with a classroom environment that encourages academic growth based on individual needs and wants. Hopefully, this website contains at least one helpful resource for each and every student that walks through my door.

 

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