Teaching and learning are an absolute passion of mine! I’m so excited to be given the opportunity to work with you and your child. It’s going to be a year full of fun, learning, and discovery and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us! To get a bit more comfortable, I’d thought I’d share with you a little bit about me.
I’m married to an amazing man, father of our children, and best friend, Josh Smith, who is also a teacher. He is the Ag Ed teacher at Hancock County High School. We met while attending the University of Kentucky where I earned my undergraduate degree in Special Education, LBD (K-12) and Elementary Education (K-5). Josh and I have been happily married for over 17 years, but together since I was 20 years old. Before starting a family, I earned my Masters in School Counseling (K-8). After we completed our schooling, we had two amazing children. We have a daughter, Lydia Mae, who is in the 9th grade this year at HCHS, and a son Grant, who is entering 6th grade at HCMS. They take up the majority of my free time outside of school. However, when I do get some time to myself, I enjoy painting, the arts, cooking, and reading.
I have lived in Hancock County for about 14 years now and love my settled life here. Before moving here, I lived in Owensboro for several years because that is where my husband grew up and it allowed me to get to know the area. Prior to Owensboro, I lived in Lexington for 6 years while attending UK, but grew up the majority of my childhood in a suburb outside Detroit, Michigan. I’ve been blessed to live in 9 different states and travel the world to see what it has to offer. I’d love to travel more and see and experience places I have not yet been.
This is my tenth year teaching 5th grade at North. I started teaching here when my daughter began kindergarten. Prior to Hancock County, I worked in Daviess County and taught 4th grade at Tamarack Elementary and then transferred to East View Elementary when building a house out here to be closer to home. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunities to work in different counties, buildings, for different principals and with amazing teachers to get an eclectic perspective of teaching and education. I have learned so much from my teaching opportunities and people I’ve been able to work with. I absolutely love teaching intermediate grade students and my mission is to get them excited about learning and becoming life-long learners like I am. I even went back to a few years ago to become board certified in literacy for students 3 years to 12 years of age and continue to grow professionally. I attempt to do whatever I can to get your child excited and interested in the content I am teaching.
Please know that I am on your side by wanting what is best for your child. I consider them my kiddos too for the time we are together, for I am with them more than my own children during the school year. I come to get to know and love my kids in my classroom and hate to see them leave me at the end of the school year, knowing I won’t see their sweet face walk the halls once they graduate. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me and let me know. Open communication is the foundation of maximizing your child’s success in school and I’m always available to discuss your child. I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year and just having a fabulous school year, your child’s last in elementary.
A few of my favorite things:
Drink: Coffee…cannot start my day without it, ha!
Season: Fall/Autumn; love the beautiful colors and coziness
Holiday: Thanksgiving, no presents to buy…just enjoy being with friends and family, which is what I’m most thankful for
Color: Kelly Green, but I love many colors...mostly what reminds me of nature and the beautiful outdoors
Sport: I’m not the most athletic person, but I do LOVE watching sports (my inner cheerleader), especially College Basketball, GO BIG BLUE!!!
Food: Chicken, but I am a foodie and love to cook and try new things!
Favorite Store: Hobby Lobby, I LOVE school supplies and arts & crafts!
Hopefully you know me a little bit better, and I can’t wait to get to know more about each of you!
Many Blessings,
Mrs. Michele Smith