A new school year brings a mix of old and new. First year teacher Jasmin Smith is a mix of both. Introduced to the Fulshear community as a student teacher last year, Smith is now a permanent teacher at the school which she learned a lot from.
“My entire last year (was) here. I did student teaching in the history department, and I was blessed enough to have them hire me on to the history department this year as my first official year teaching,” Smith said. “I went through four years of college to get through the education program.”
Smith was able to find an opportunity here last year thanks to her college having a connection with Lamar LCISD.
“So my university was actually working with the district, so I got placed here to do my student teaching last year. It was a long, long and stormy trek, but we’re here, we did it,” Smith said. “And I guess what got me into the education field is just my love for everybody. (…) I love people; I’m a people person. (…) And it’s something that I’m good at. (…) I’m like ‘hmm, this kind of works for my life’.”
After completing her degree, Smith was hired officially onto the Fulshear team, giving her an opportunity at experiencing continuity.
“I was so happy because I was already here for that year doing student teaching, and I made so many connections, and I was so close with my department, and I already had so much support as a student teacher that I feel so confident coming into my first year because I have all of them beside me,” Smith said. “(it’s) not only my department, but (also) the admin, teachers from other departments, too. I’ve just kind of created a little family here. So, that was extremely comforting, and I just loved it.”
Given that each school has its unique culture, being able to begin her first year teaching at the school she was already familiar with has been a huge help in terms of what she could expect walking into the school again.
“Yeah, (it helped) because I know every school kind of has their culture. Although rules may be the same or similar, it’s just the vibe, if you will, of different schools is a thing. So, I already have established everything here, and I just kind of transition smoothly into what I already know – the rules are, the culture is, the expectations,” Smith said. “So, it’s so much more comforting to know that rather than starting somewhere brand new where I don’t know anybody, I don’t know the culture, I don’t know the rules. I don’t know anything at all. (…) I’m so glad I was able to stay here and stay with my comfort.”
The transition from being a student teacher to a certified teacher is large, with new responsibilities. Yet, already being a part of the community, all of this accumulated to a positive and relatively smooth start to the school year.
“It was a little difficult because, obviously, you’re limited in what you can do as a student teacher on the campus, whereas now you are a teacher and you get everything,” Smith said. “Like, ‘oh I didn’t know I had to do this, this, this, this’. But, I mean, (it has been) relatively smooth. It’s just about finding your flow and understanding the new requirements that are needed of you. (…) I’m actually in the classroom right next to my mentor, who I had all of last year. So, everything just worked out perfectly.”
She went on to describe how she was feeling after the first few weeks of school.
“I’m finally getting to know the kids and the personalities (and) the learning styles. Everyone’s just kind of getting into the groove of things because we all had different classrooms,” Smith said. “So, finding their way literally throughout the building, (the same with) me too. It’s been a lot for all of us, (…) as we all try to navigate this new year and a bunch of new things happening, new rules implemented. But, it’s honestly been great. It’s been a great experience.”
Now that Smith is a certified teacher, she has the goal of pushing her students lovingly to strive for success, including passing the STAAR test.
“(I aspire to) get all my kiddos to hit mastery for the STAAR test,” Smith said. “But just to help my kids actually learn and understand that it can be fun. I know it seems boring, but it can be fun, I promise. And (…) if I can make a little difference in even one of the kids’ lives, then it’s enough for me.”
Outside of the classroom, Smith also strives to make a positive impact on students’ lives.
“I don’t know if it’s enacted yet, but I’m sponsoring the Bible Study Club. I haven’t heard much back from that, so hopefully that’s still a thing,” Smith said. “(…) I just want to be successful in helping the kids learn, to help them get through this year. Even with home life or school life, just to know that I’m there to help them get through this.”
Everything Smith does for the students is out of the love she has for them. “I am most looking forward to, honestly, the relationships that will grow with the kids, because I love them, and I care about them, and I want them to do well,” Smith said. “I’m kind of a crazy person in the classroom. So they probably think I’m a fool, a crazy teacher lady. But I just like it to be fun and exciting and welcoming, and not only just to be their teacher, but to be a safe place for them.”
Despite just starting her first year of teaching, Jasmin Smith brings a lot of positivity and excitement into her class and the community. Filled with love, Smith just wants the best for the students. She will push them but also knows that high school can be turbulent.
As Smith said, “It can be a lot. But just take it one moment at a time, one day at a time even, and just keep pushing forward. That’s all you can do, and all you can do is the best you can.”
