Blue Umbrella Official BU SUMMER 2019 | Page 6

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!