Get t o
Know Your
Teachers
By Emily S.
Mrs. Smith
If you were an animal, which would you be, and
why?
My dog. My dogs have the best life. They are
pampered and waited on hand and paw. They have a
great life!
Mrs. Kimberly Smith is an English and
Science teacher at AOA. She has been teaching at
AOA for nine years, but she has taught school for a
total of eighteen years. In addition, she leads the
student-run online magazine The Blue Umbrella.
What was your best and worst subjects in
school?
Calculus was my worst subject, and Speech
and Debate and Journalism were my best subjects. I
did well in Science, History, and English too. I
basically loved school which is probably why I?m still
in school.
What is your role in AOA?
I teach multiple subjects: Language Arts 7,
English III, Science 7, Career Explorations I, II and III What is your favorite country that you visited,
and various State History classes.
and why?
Italy is one of my favorite countries. I lived in
What made you want to start The Blue Umbrella? Naples for three years and tried to see as much of
Back in 2015, several students created an
Italy as possible. I think Florence is my favorite city
unofficial version of The Blue Umbrella. Because I
(I?ve been there five different times) and Ischia was
was a journalist before becoming a teacher, I
my favorite Italian island (I visited it several times as
approached this group of students to see if they
well). I love the laid-back culture, the people, and the
wanted to start an official version. To my delight, they food. For fun, my husband and I took cooking
did. One thing led to another, and eventually we
classes while we lived there.
moved from a newsletter to the online magazine
format that we have today. You can see an archive of What does it feel like to meet your students in
our original issues in the Student Center?s Blue
person at the graduation ceremony or at other
Umbrella group.
events?
I love meeting my students in person. The
What is your favorite thing about directing The
hardest part of online school and not having that face
Blue Umbrella?
to face time, so when it happens, it is a blessing. I?ve
My favorite thing is watching students grow
gone to performances and church programs for
as writers, photographers and editors. I also love how several of my students in the DFW area. I?ve also
well everyone works together towards our common
met some of them for lunch or coffee.
goal.
What is your advice for AOA students?
If you were not a teacher, what would your
Don?t be afraid to contact your teachers. We
occupation be?
are here to help, and your messages and phone calls
I?d open a book store or coffee shop. I?d also are not a bother, so please reach out to us when you
like to run an International Learning Center?a place
have a question or feel stuck.
where immigrants can come and find resources to
help them find success in their new country. Wait,
that?s still basically being a teacher, isn?t it!