Shelley Smith doesn’t expect a call from Justin Trudeau anytime soon.
But that’s okay.
She’ll settle for the proof in her Inbox that she was awarded the Prime Minister’s Excellence in Teaching Award. The certificate is in the mail. Smith was grateful to be nominated, but winning the award was unexpected.
“I am very humbled and quite surprised that I was chosen because this is such a huge award across Canada,” said Smith. “This is actually an award for everybody. I’m surrounded by excellent people – teachers, students and families. When you surround yourself with very passionate people, you’re also successful.”
Smith has been teaching kindergarten at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Warman since 2016. She would love to see more people recognized for their commitment to education.
After 21 years of teaching, a certain irrepressible quality simmers under the surface of Smith’s calm exterior when she talks her job. Perhaps the boundless enthusiasm of her young charges is contagious. More likely, its her inner reserves of passion for teaching.
Smith’s award specifically recognizes “Excellence in Play-based Learning” which “fosters creativity, imagination and excitement” in her classrooms.
This “child-initiated, teacher-supported” approach allows her to pick up on the students’ comments and questions, go further with them, and tie them into the curriculum. Recently an individual activity caused a student to proclaim that they are taller than a giraffe. That led to discussions about giraffes, their size, geographic locations, etc. Smith tied that into current curriculum discussions about the buffalo.
“They’re eager and excited! They have all kinds of questions. Even though I have a plan every day when I come in, each day is different.”
Teaching wasn’t top of mind when Smith was in high school pondering a career path. Math and accounting claimed top billing at that time. But various experiences and connections nudged her toward education. Smith had a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from SIAST and it was her experience being a Child Life worker at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon that influenced her to get an education degree. After teaching Pre-K, Grade 3, a K-1 split she found her niche. “In about my tenth year of teaching I found my calling. Kindergarten is where I needed to be.”
Smith has had plenty of opportunities to learn how to relate to small children. She is the oldest of four children. In their high school years, she and her siblings, along with some cousins, were typically involved in the community with younger members, as leaders and volunteers. Smith now has a daughter and four sons of her own.
Smith is recognized by the school board as a role model and mentor among kindergarten teachers. Her exemplary and forward-looking instruction practices have been noted and are now part of the board’s professional development. In 2020, Smith represented the board at the Early Learning Symposium. She is also a representative for the Saskatchewan Teachers Association. “Her dedication to her students, profession, her own professional and personal learning exemplifies excellence in education.”
Smith shares her success with her fellow teachers. “I learned from the teachers that taught me, by collaborating with inspirational and supportive colleagues and by attending professional development opportunities provided by our school division.”
The greatest impact of Smith’s teaching is on the audience of small, impressionable humans she engages with every day. She is currently responsible for two groups of kindergarteners totalling 37 students. One parent said, “Our child comes home every day telling us how much fun it is to be in Ms. Smith’s classroom. Her play-based learning approach is amazing. She has given them a love of learning. It is fantastic to see them grow into such kind and confident learners.”
Smith truly hopes she is fostering that love of learning. “I hope students are encouraged to become contributing, happy, successful community members who are critical thinkers and good problem solvers, good people who are independent and kind.”