classroom for the entire day . Curriculum focuses on independent living skills , such as cooking , preparing to enter the workforce , and developing healthy relationships .
“ We meet the students where they are and teach them how to perform basic skills on their own . We create a positive learning environment ; a safe place where they are cared for ,” said Smythe about the program .
Smythe recognizes that a key component to the success of her teaching and the FLS program is collaboration across Thornton Academy and the greater Saco community . She works to get students involved in the community as much as possible . They go grocery shopping once a week , visit local businesses , and participate in job shadows and vocational training .
“ We have a lot of fun ! There are days when I want to stay home , but you show up , and amazing things happen all across campus !”
This fall , some of the FLS students competed in the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament . Smythe invited teachers , staff , and students from across the TA community to send them off . FLS students and staff shared that this simple gesture of compassion and support helped them feel like a valued part of our school community .
One recent highlight for Smythe and her students has been the introduction and rapid growth of the Unified Basketball program . Unified sports joins students with and without developmental disabilities on the same team , developing friendships along the way . There has been so much interest in the Unified Basketball program that students created a Unified Club that lasts the entire school year . Smythe is also pursuing a Unified Bocce team with the help of Athletic Director , Gary Stevens .
As with the rest of the school , Smythe and the FLS program are now practicing distance learning . Smythe overcame initial nerves for this change by embracing creativity and fun ! She and her staff record a daily “ morning meeting ” that they post on YouTube and share with the students each day . The morning meetings feature an independent living question of the day , book readings by FLS staff , cooking lessons , math lessons , and a dance party !
“ Distance learning forces us to get creative . We have to answer the question , ‘ How are we going to do this ?’ It has sparked that love of teaching again !” Smythe said . At Thornton Academy , Smythe is not only involved in the FLS program , but also serves as an advisor for the class of 2021 . She also participates in every spirit day and has won Most Spirited Teacher at several recent school pep rallies .
Smythe never planned on becoming a teacher and took an unconventional path to arrive where she is now . She grew up in Florida and previously worked as a legal aid and waitress before earning her BS degree in psychology . When she moved to Maine , she continued work as a waitress . One day , a group of students and their teacher came to her restaurant to celebrate their eighth grade graduation . She served them , and a few days later , the teacher returned with thank you cards for her . This experience sparked a love for working with the special education population , and she became a certified education technician and started her career at Thornton Academy .
But the story doesn ’ t end there . When Smythe entered her classroom that first day in September , she found the same students that had visited her restaurant and sparked her love of education .
Thornton Academy and its students are incredibly lucky to have a teacher that is as dedicated , enthusiastic , and caring as Kristin Smythe . Even though she works with a unique population of students , she embodies characteristics and has a philosophy of education that reaches all learners .
Students competing in the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament received an exciting and meaningful send-off ! Teachers , students , and staff cheered , and the band played as the team made their way to the tournament bus .
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