Plainview Teacher of the Year
Mary Smith
Oklahoma State University Bachelors in Education 1974
My mom, grandmother, aunt, several cousins, and sister were all teachers, so you might say it was destiny, in the genes, expected. Actually, I think the day I knew I wanted to really become a teacher was the day I walked into Dr. Virginia Marsden’s children’s literature class. She truly made childhood fairy tales, myths, legends, and tall tales come to life. I love to read to my students and end with them saying, “No, keep reading.” I hope to instill in my students each year not only a desire to read, but also life skills outside of the textbook, such as kindness for one another and working to be the best they can be. My own children have been my biggest influence in wanting to be a caring educator who always has time to listen to each student’s whole story. Learning about your students outside of the classroom can be invaluable in helping them grow. I enjoy attending their extra-curricular activities: watching them play ball, dance, sing in a choir, or perform in a play. It is rewarding to share in their passion and helps connect us long past the fourth grade classroom. I have enjoyed following many of my students’ lifelong careers, wherever their path may take them – a few even becoming teachers themselves.
I feel like I have had two teaching careers as I taught in Oklahoma for ten years before moving to Chicago for twenty-seven years where I volunteered at my children’s school, worked as a private tutor, and substitute taught. Upon returning to Oklahoma, I taught one year at Marietta before coming to Plainview and teaching fourth grade for the past eight years. It is a privilege to work with the students, faculty, and administration at Plainview.