This year will begin as somewhat of an experiment for us all.  My strengths as a teacher lie in the connections I make with kids that I believe, come best through person to person, close contact kind of interactions.  My training and experience have all been geared to teaching kids in the classroom.  Virtual teaching and its demands are new to me (and you) and there is going to be a learning curve for all of us.  While I know things will not always go as planned, I am certain I will be doing my best.  I ask for your patience and support as we learn to learn in this unprecedented time.  Enough about that.

Meet Mr. Smith

    I am very happy teaching first grade.  In fact, I feel Called to do it, as though I am serving a Greater Purpose.  This is my 22nd year teaching.  I enjoy teaching children of this age because they are so eager to learn, and the tremendous progress they make gives me great satisfaction. 

    My family comes before my chosen profession.  I married my high school sweetheart, Lisa Lee Smith.  She practices law in Chapin, and we have three children, ages 17, 19, and 21.   Two of them are in college, and one is in high school.  Do the math.  Yep, I'm old (but young at heart). 

      This is not my first career.  Prior to teaching, I worked at SCDHEC in the Bureau of Water essentially as a scientist.  I used  computers to model riverine characteristics to protect water quality, and I conducted site visits to protect wetlands and minimize impacts to them.  Before that, I attended the University of South Carolina conducting research in estuarine wetlands.

      I enjoy many different activities including learning to play the guitar, landscaping, and home renovating.  My current project involves a basement renovation.  I'm an avid disc golf player.  I enjoy reading books to learn about stuff (mostly history), and I enjoy traveling with my family.  I like the idea of relaxing, but I do not seem to do it much.