Erica Smith was nominated by her principal, Matt Burkett.
Ms. Smith is a teacher with a giant heart for her students. Last year, when one of her students suffered a horrific accident, she was very strong and supportive with their family. She visited the child in Tampa on multiple occasions. Then, while the child healed for months at home, Ms. Smith would visit and provide instruction so that she did not fall behind in class. In short, Ms. Smith has a heart of gold, and she will stop at nothing to show how much she loves her kids.
Amazing Teacher who really cares for her students.
We need more women, people and teachers like you! Best of luck!
Erica is an amazing young woman, full of life and definitely an achiever. She gives her time to not only friends and family but to all the little darlings that she has taught over the years. Along with her time, she gives from her hard earned wages. When school started this school year (2018-2019), Erica surprised all the 2nd grade teachers with a welcome gift. Her act of kindness spoke volumes about her character. I'm very thankful to have her in my life. Where she gets that energy from, only God knows, but I sure wouldn't mind having some of it. She's definitely an asset to anyone who befriends her. Her smile is also the brightness of our day. Her smile reminds me of the scripture, this is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. May God continue to use Erica in a mighty way to change lives wherever she goes. She's already a winner!
Ms. Erica Smith came into my life 4 yrs ago as my daughter's 1st grade teacher. After all of this time I wouldn't be able to picture my life without her. She has become a part of our family, and us to hers. She is the most amazing woman and teacher I have ever met. She puts every single one of her students needs before her own. She goes above and behind to help make sure each one of her kids succeeds. She gives them all the tools and confidence that they need to be the best that they can possibly be. Her kindness and passion for her students is something I have never seen in anyone else. Erica applies that passion to all students that cross her path. She still reaches out to my oldest daughter and helps her in any way she can, she also takes time to reach out to my youngest who is a kindergartner. She makes sure all students she comes in contact with feel loved, safe, and that they know their worth. I have the privilege of volunteering in her class twice a week and it is the highlight of my days. Watching her relate and be there for these kids is truly amazing. She is incredibly hardworking, she takes the time to make her lessons interesting and fun. Most days she doesn't leave her classroom until 6pm, sometimes even later. And shes up at 4-4:30am making plans for her kids. She goes in on holidays and during breaks to make sure her students have everything they need. She surprises them with treats for their hardwork and their accomplishments. Erica is truly an inspiration, not just to her students but to anyone she comes in contact with. She is an amazing role model for these young girls, and even the boys. She really is a blessing to the school, her students, her family, friends and the community.
Ms Smith puts 110% percent into everything she does. She gives all she has been given to support her colleagues, her students and even in her personal life with her daughter and faithfulness. She’s someone that brings a joyful energy and she continues to persevere. She generously shared the talents she’s been given with her students, and their parents. She takes her job as a teacher seriously with a healthy dose of humor and an amazing smile. We are happy to honor Erica Smith as a Life Changer nominee, because through her heart, people are being changed for the good. She shows love in what she does.
Mrs. Smith is THE most amazing teacher, person, and friend. I have the privilege of working along side her this year at LAE and I cannot express enough how much I have learned about being intentional and creative in the classroom, along with loving my students and letting them know that they are world changers. I am still in my first few years of teaching and she always goes out of her way to show me what I can do to be a better teacher. She is one of the most selfless people I have ever met and constantly is looking for ways to help her students in and out of the classroom. She spends countless hours after school making sure that her lessons and student’s activities are not “cookie cutter” and can fit every type of learner’s needs. I feel so blessed to have her as a teammate and I pray that one day, I can grow to be at least half the woman Mrs. Smith is. She is so deserving of this award!
Erica Smith is a wonderful Teacher, and a wonderful caring & giving person with a heart of gold. I have known her for several years & have seen what a wonderful Teacher she is. She goes way above & beyond, in & out of the class room.
This is a very deserving nominee. Ms Smith is nothing short of amazing teacher, person and mother. My daughter had Ms Smith in 1st grade, then again when she moved to 2nd grade. I'm so excited for her and wish her the best...
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I am the mother of that little girl. On the day before her 8th birthday she suffered a horrific accident, to say they least. She was walking home from the bus stop when a vehicle ran her over and dragged her 62 feet. Our lives as we knew it changed forever. Thanks to the support of my family and friends we were able to hurdle through. Friends, because that is what I call Ms. Smith now. She went above and beyond her duty for my baby girl. She knows my daughter since the 1st grade and when it was time to move on to the 2nd grade we got lucky and Mrs. Smith was also moving to teach that grade. My daughter always spoke highly of her and loved her. Imagine her excitement when she found out Ms. Smith would be her teacher again. On the day of the accident (Friday) Ms. Smith wasted no time in contacting me to find out how my girl was doing. First thing Saturday Ms. Smith was by her side in that hospital bed. I saw Ms. Smith cry as if it was her daughter laying there. She started a fund raiser at school, Ms. Smith and my daughter's class mates made her get well cards, she contacted me every single day, sometimes multi times a day to check up on my girl. When the weekends roll around Ms. Smith would visit as often as she could along with other teachers and staff. When my girl was finally home it was time to talk about home schooling. I got contacted by a state Rep. to set it all up. Never in a million years did I think Ms. Smith would have time to teach her. At the time she was, teaching, going to school, working a part time job, attending church events, being a single mom, tutoring after school among other things. I remember telling her to stop for a minute because she is always going... To my surprise she contacted that State Rep and told her she wanted to be my daughters teacher. She told me she would work around her schedule and make sure she can teach her. Words can not express my gratitude towards Ms. Smith and nothing in the world will be enough of a repayment for everything she has done for my family. Ms. Smith would meet with us twice and sometimes three times a week, in the evening after her long days to bring my girl up to speed and make sure she as ready for the 3rd grade. She wanted to know every single appt. I had and how it went. My girl now 9 year old is still pending some surgeries and Ms. Smith is again on top of it. Check on the dates and how it is going. My daughter expresses that Ms. Smith belongs to her and she jokes around that she is going to go home with Ms. Smith. They have created a bound that no one will every break. I told Ms. Smith that we all have that one teacher that we remember forever and that is her to My Ariana.
Ms. Smith Thank you forever!
