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Her diagnosis didn\u2019t just change her; it changed the way she teaches. Smith became even more attuned to the emotional and personal needs of her students, ensuring they knew they were safe to express their thoughts and fears. She has been open with them about her journey, allowing them to see that even difficult challenges can have positive outcomes. She also allows her students to ask questions so they better understand her diagnosis and what she is going through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most impactful aspects of her teaching is the daily \u201ccommunity circle,\u201d a time when she gathers with her students to check in and connect on a deeper level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI ask them simple things, like what they had for dinner last night,\u201d Smith shared with a tremble in her voice. \u201cYou\u2019d be surprised what that tells you. Sometimes, their answers let me know who might be food insecure. If a child says they didn\u2019t have dinner, I know I need to step in and see what I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This practice has led to real change. Through these check-ins, Smith has been able to connect students in need with the school\u2019s backpack program, ensuring they have meals to take home. She has created a classroom culture where students know they are cared for \u2014 not just as students, but as people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her journey with cancer was not one she faced alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nicole Brashear, a fellow teacher and friend to Smith, experienced a much similar journey, being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to explain it to her students. Assistant Director of Schools Becky Kegley shared that these two women stand out among the school district as not only survivors of breast cancer but as compassionate leaders to their students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet me just say that these two women are an inspiration to me. I know their students will benefit from the relationships as well as the value of love and community that they have fostered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from her colleague, the school community also rallied around Smith, offering support in ways big and small. As she underwent treatment, she continued to show up for her students as much as possible. When she couldn\u2019t be there, she knew they were in good hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI tell my kids that life isn\u2019t always easy, but it\u2019s how you respond to the hard times that matters,\u201d she said. \u201cI want them to know that challenges don\u2019t define them. They can take something difficult and turn it into something positive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even while recuperating, Smith and Brashear stay dedicated to their students and bring positivity to the classroom. Smith hopes sharing her story will encourage others to face their own challenges with strength and grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I\u2019m excited to talk about this,\u201d she said. \u201cIf my story can help someone else, it\u2019s worth sharing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith\u2019s classroom is nurtured with kindness, understanding, and resilience \u2014 concepts she will never take for granted and concepts she feels are the most important lessons of all. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE BELL rings, and suddenly, the classroom is filled with youthful, excited voices as students shuffle into their desks, backpacks thumping against the floor, and pencil cases opening as the school day is about to begin. Pens and pencils rattle as they roll across the desks. The morning light filters through the windows of Ms. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":22588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lebanon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/Story-1-photo1-2-2-1024x683.jpg\")