LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Carmen Smith was nominated by her friend and neighbor, Nikki Soroko.

Ms. Smith was born in Selma, AL. She had an appreciation for math at an early age. Her father served in the Air Force, and as a result, her family moved many times during her childhood. Their journey took them from Alabama, to California, South Dakota, New York, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Virginia, and finally, to Georgia, where they settled for her junior year of high school.

During her childhood, in the midst of so much transition, Ms. Smith learned valuable educational lessons from both of her parents. Her mother was adept at helping her with language arts, while her father was great at mathematics. He inspired her through hands-on application of math concepts as a way to solidify her understanding of the subject, keep things interesting and engaging, and provide a model for how math applies to everyday life.

For many students, math can be intimidating, particularly when it is taught in a way that does not allow students to fully understand concepts in real-world terms. When Ms. Smith was young, her father taught her many of these concepts by using visual and tactile methods (e.g., folding and cutting paper) to provide a holistic approach to the principles he taught her. This experience helped Ms. Smith develop a genuine love of the subject, which eventually led her to a career in math education.

Throughout her time as a teacher, she has embraced her father’s example and uses his methods in her classroom. She teaches math to students in a way that opens doors and instills confidence in them to not only grasp the material, but enjoy it and use it as a vehicle for their own successes. She currently works as the Advanced Math Content Teacher/Hybrid Teacher for grades 3-5. Ms. Smith has also served as a 2nd Grade Math Enrichment Teacher, 5th Grade Gifted Teacher, Math Coach; K-5 Math Specialist, EIP Math Teacher for grades 3-5, and Thinking Skills Specialist. She received her B.S.Ed from The University of Georgia and earned her Teacher Support Specialist and Gifted Education Certifications. 

Ms. Smith refers to herself as a “tool” when it comes to her relationship with her students and their progress. She takes no credit for their accomplishments. Instead, she helps students understand that they are the ones who are breaking through barriers and advancing in ways they never thought they could. She teaches them that it is okay to fail because failure is often a necessary step in their search for knowledge. Being a gifted teacher, Ms. Smith recognizes that many of her students struggle with not wanting to look bad in front of their peers. Through her hands-on approach with her students, she has taught them that fear of failure is their biggest obstacle to overcome. Many of her students have gone from not wanting to make mistakes in front of their classmates, to embracing those mistakes as opportunities for discovery. Because of that, new students who come into her classroom still holding onto their fear are greeted by confident classmates who put them at ease and show them, through enthusiastic example, that it is okay to not only take risks when it comes to their understanding of math concepts, but to not always get things right on the first attempt. 

In order to create such a relaxed classroom environment for her high-aptitude, high-achieving students, Ms. Smith makes a point of getting to know each of them on a personal level and showing genuine concern for them and their lives outside of the classroom. By personalizing her interaction, she is able to consistently build relationships of trust with her students that allow her to become an even more effective instrument for their growth as mathematicians and young adults. She invites her students to share their personal stories and experiences, which helps them relax and be themselves. Getting to know her students on a personal level allows her to intervene more effectively when they are struggling and give them specific encouragement, acceptance, and support when and how they need it most. 

One time, Ms. Smith developed a special connection with one of her students, a young girl who was one of three students from the same family to come through her classroom. This student happened to be the “middle child” in her family, just like Ms. Smith. Ms. Smith could see she wrestled with feelings of inadequacy, particularly as she sat in the shadow of her older sibling, for whom math came quite easy. Although this girl was one of the hardest-working students Ms. Smith had ever seen, she was struggling. Ms. Smith helped this young girl recognize her own abilities by consistently encouraging her and by nominating her for an opportunity to be part of a highly competitive national math project that would choose children from across the country to make video lessons to teach other students how to think about and understand middle school math concepts during the COVID-19 pandemic. . With Ms. Smith's support and guidance, this young girl gained the confidence to write an essay and make a video to submit to the competition, and she was selected as one of 10 children out of over 500 applicants from 45 states to participate in this program. The child thanked Ms. Smith repeatedly for nominating and believing in her. Ms. Smith's humble response was that she was simply the tool that allowed her to believe in herself, and that this accomplishment was all hers. The child’s mom later shared with Ms. Smith that it was in that moment that this child realized that she was not in competition with her older sister, and that she was paving her own way and accomplishing her own dreams. 

In another instance, Ms. Smith had a wonderful student in one of her third grade math classes who excelled at almost everything and was a pleasure to have in class.  As the year went on, Ms. Smith could see that this student was putting tremendous pressure on herself and would shut down if she could not grasp a concept immediately.  This made it difficult for Ms. Smith to help her let down her guard and have confidence, even in the face of difficulty.  When it came time for parent-teacher conferences, Ms. Smith met with this student's parents and invited her to join the conference, as well. She wanted her student to hear all of the wonderful things she had to share with her parents, but she also wanted to give her the opportunity to share her own feelings. Ms. Smith was determined to support this struggling student in any way she could.

At one point during this process, the child expressed the desire to be moved to a less challenging class, but her parents agreed with Ms. Smith that their child was extremely capable, and that she was already in the right class. They also expressed to her that she would have to be kinder to herself and allow herself adequate time to learn and make mistakes. When this student heard how much her teacher and parents believed in her, it gave her the courage to give the rest of the year a chance in the Advanced Content class.

After that meeting, Ms. Smith began to see a different side of this student. She saw a child who was willing to take risks and was okay if she didn’t grasp a concept on the first try.  The student ended the year with an A and continued in Ms. Smith's class for fourth and fifth grades. She became one of the strongest, most confident mathematicians Ms. Smith has ever taught, skipping years of math in middle school and entering High School as one of the top math students in her graduating class. This student wrote Ms. Smith a few years ago to thank her for believing in her, and to let her know that she plans to major in engineering when she goes to college. Ms. Smith recognizes through these experiences that helping students to believe in themselves and their own abilities is essential to their success in the classroom and in life. She continues to teach and mentor in a way that allows her students to gain that confidence and recognize their own strength and value.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has created additional challenges and barriers to learning for students across the country. One of Ms. Smith's biggest struggles has been making and keeping those vital personal connections with her students and their parents. In order to overcome this obstacle, she has taken the extra step of writing personal notes and comments to the children to help boost their confidence with this new way of hybrid learning. Additionally, in her classroom, Ms. Smith has adopted an innovative, proactive approach to dealing with this challenge by ensuring that she is still able to talk to the kids and get a feel for how they are doing, despite having a mix of in-person and on-screen participation from her students. She uses breakout rooms on the computer, where students can interact with their friends and engage in a lot of hands-on collaboration. The students enjoy this because within the breakout rooms, they are able to talk to their classmates and be themselves for a little bit, even though many of them are participating at home from behind a screen. Ms. Smith has made sure everyone can see each other, regardless of whether they are at home or in the classroom. It's this kind of thoughtful, impactful innovation that her students and colleagues appreciate and wish to acknowledge with their thanks and their endorsements.  

Over her 25-year teaching career, Ms. Smith has been recognized through a substantial number of awards for which she was nominated by peers, students, parents, and members of the community. She won the 2020 GAGE Gifted Teacher of the Year Award, for which she was nominated by her school administrators for outstanding contributions to gifted students in her school and classroom, and for serving on the County's gifted Advisory Council that works toward advancements in gifted education. In 2018, she was a Georgia Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She was nominated again for this award in 2020 by parents and colleagues for the high level of math instruction she provides to her students, and in recognition of her mastery of content and real-world teaching, In 2020, she was also a semi-finalist in the Teach On Project for Excellence in Education after being nominated by a parent. The year-long nomination process included essays, video-taped teaching sessions, interviews, and a culminating presentation. After being nominated by a colleague, Ms. Smith was a semi-finalist for the 2019-2020 American Families Award for Excellence in Education award, which was similar in structure to the Teach On Project in terms of nominee requirements.  

Additionally, she and her students competed in the 2019 Continental Math League competition and received recognition as the National 1st Place Winner in the Fourth Grade Division for 2019 and 2020. Her students compete each year that she teaches Advanced Content Math. The competition requires students from all over the U.S. to compete against one another to solve high-level rigorous problems. Her students place every year at national and regional levels, both as teams and as individuals. In 2010, Carmen was recognized as a Top 25 Finalist for the Gwinnett County Schools Teacher of the Year award. She was recognized as Sugar Hill Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year. In 2001, 2004, and 2007, she was nominated for the Disney All-American Teacher award by her administration for demonstrating exceptional teaching. In 2004, Ms. Smith won the Atlanta Braves/Bell South Excellence in Education Award after being nominated by several of her students, who wrote essays on how she demonstrated excellence in education. In 2001, and again in 2018, Ms. Smith was recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as an AJC Honor Teacher Nominee. That same year, she was a Top 10 Finalist for Dekalb County Teacher of the Year, and the winner of Rowland Elementary's Teacher of the Year award. Though her list of accolades is extensive, her true satisfaction comes from seeing her students tackle their assignments with confidence and accomplish their goals inside and outside of her classroom. Her humility and dedication to her students, colleagues, and profession is what sets her apart as a teacher and as a person. 

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Smith has a long history of working diligently to provide additional resources for students and teachers by securing grant funding for robotics, teacher and student resource materials, training supplements, and literature for math specials and classroom teachers. These grants include the 2017 STEM and LEGO Robotics Grant and the 2009-2010, and 2015 Engineering, Technology, and Robotics Grant, which were used to purchase additional Lego Robotics sets to use in gifted and advanced content math classes. In 2014, she received the Number Talks Grant, which allowed for the purchase of three copies of Sherry Parrish's Number Talk books for each grade level at her school and helped fund staff development for its teachers. In 2010, she received the Math and Literature Grant, which facilitated the purchase of additional math literature for the school’s math specials and classroom teachers. Finally, in 2008, she received the Games in the Math Classroom Grant, through which she was able to purchase math instructional games for all grade levels. 

Ms. Smith continues to find ways to engage in professional development opportunities for herself, and as a mentor, coach, and instructor to her colleagues. One of her biggest contributions in her career has been her participation as the Department of Education Elementary Math Specialist for the state of Georgia. She has worked to integrate and train teachers, as well as develop content and the course curriculum for elementary math across the state.  Currently, she has continued at the county level, serving on the Gifted Leadership Advisory Council and the Assessment Team within one of the largest, most diverse Atlanta suburban counties in Georgia. 

Over the years, Ms. Smith has earned great respect from her co-workers and peers.

“Carmen is one of the hardest working teachers I know," said Michelle Lem, a fellow third grade teacher and colleague. "She sets high expectations for her and her students, and she knows exactly how to help her students reach and exceed their potential. Carmen cares about her students deeply and is always looking for new ways to challenge them. She is a true leader at our school. She is an expert in her field, and she loves sharing her knowledge with others!”

“Carmen is the most dedicated, passionate educator I have ever worked with in my 26 years of teaching," said Tiffany English, a colleague. "She loves her students fiercely. She expects much from them, and they love her fiercely back for it. Carmen has a way of teaching math that opens doors in children’s mathematics understanding. Children love her class, and many make the case [to] get the opportunity. Carmen still keeps in touch with many families from every year of her career. She cares about their progress and celebrates their accomplishments.”

“I have known Carmen since living in the same neighborhood for the last five years," said Soroko. "We were not so fortunate to have Carmen as our teacher, but she has always allowed me to share my concerns with her when my youngest son was struggling in math. We were new to Sugar Hill Elementary when we moved into the neighborhood, and our son struggled with the transition to the new school. Carmen welcomed our family and son with so much love and warmth and helped us with all the new adjustments being at a new school.  She would always give me great advice, not only from a parent’s perspective, but from a teacher's perspective. This was incredibly helpful when I needed to communicate with my son’s teachers. Carmen is the most generous, thoughtful, kind, and humble person I know. She is selfless in everything she does, always putting others and other’s needs first before her own. Even during this time of uncertainty with COVID-19, she has never given up or given less effort to anyone that has crossed her path. We have been truly blessed since having Carmen and her family in our lives. Everyone needs a 'Carmen Smith' on their team. She has been a wonderful neighbor and friend, and we all love her for who she is. Her heart is pure, her kindness is effortless, and her strength is fearless."