A lasting impression: Meet inspiring teacher, Jessica Smith

Mrs. Jessica Smith has been teaching for 20 years and is an 8th grade teacher at Emanuel County Institute. She began her career at Swainsboro Middle School (SMS) in 2005, where she spent ten years teaching in various capacities. Smith started in a self-contained classroom before transitioning to inclusion math, which is where she truly discovered her passion for teaching. In 2015, she transferred to ECI to teach Business Education and is currently teaching 8th grade math at ECI. “Math has always been my favorite subject.” commented Mrs. Smith. Throughout the years, Mrs. Smith has served as department head as well as committee chair on several occasions. Through the years of 2015-2024 as the FBLA adviser, she received New Adviser of the Year and Region 4 Adviser of the Year. Their chapter also maintained Superior Gold Chapter of the Year for all nine years.

“My name is Jessica Smith, and I was born and raised in Garfield. I’m proud to be a graduate of ECI, Class of 2001. After high school, I attended East Georgia College before transferring to Georgia Southern University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in education. I later completed my Education Specialist degree at Nova University. I am married to Adam Smith, and together we have a wonderful son, Clay.” stated Smith.

Teaching has always been a dream of Smith’s. Growing up with parents who were foster parents instilled in her a deep love for helping others. From the age of 11, she witnessed over 250 children go through their home, many of whom had special needs. This experience truly inspired her to become a Special Education teacher. Mrs. Smith began her career working with a self-contained group of students who quickly captured her heart. She later taught severe and profound special needs students for several years before transitioning to an inclusion math setting. Smith’s passion for working with all kids continued to grow, and she discovered that math was where her heart truly lies. Eventually, Smith moved into general education math and earned her gifted endorsement. She was fortunate to work alongside amazing co-workers who also inspired her greatly.

During Smith’s time at SMS, she served as one of the Junior Beta advisors, which allowed her to take students to various states to compete at Nationals. “It was incredibly rewarding to experience these events through their eyes.” Stated Smith. She taught at SMS from 2005 to 2015, and although she later transitioned to a business teaching position at ECI, her passion for math remained strong.

Teaching business offered opportunities for real-world applications that she found meaningful. Smith’s love for this role deepened through her involvement with FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). She cherished the chance to travel with students for competitions, witnessing moments like a child’s first plane ride or experiencing new adventures together. “These were truly satisfying experiences.” Smith commented.

Ultimately, Smith’s heart remained in middle school, particularly with 8th grade math. So, when a position opened up at ECI, she knew she had to take the chance to return to what she loves most. Smith feels incredibly fortunate to have had amazing teachers throughout the years, but two who have left a lasting impact on her are Mrs. Kaye Mincey and Mrs. Sheila Brown. “Mrs. Kaye first made an impression on me as my kindergarten teacher. Even at that young age, her warmth and dedication stood out. Over the years, she became more than just a teacher—she became a mentor I deeply admire. Her unwavering commitment to education is truly extraordinary and rare. In 8th grade, I had the privilege of starting Algebra 1 with Mrs. Brown, and that experience changed my relationship with math. While I always enjoyed math, she instilled in me a newfound desire for it. Her ability to make complex concepts understandable and exciting was remarkable. I was fortunate enough to learn from her in four different math classes, each one deepening my appreciation for her talent and dedication as an educator.” stated Mrs. Smith.

Outside of teaching, Smith loves spending time with her husband and their son, Clay. He keeps them busy with his enthusiasm for showing pigs and playing travel baseball. On the rare weekends they have free, the Smith’s enjoy relaxing and reconnecting as a family by going camping.

“It’s great to be home! I love being at ECI. Teaching at the same school where I’ll get to see my son grow through his middle school years and transition into high school is such a unique and rewarding experience. Sharing the field with him on his graduation day will be truly unforgettable! The staff here is incredible! The administration team is wonderful and incredibly supportive.” Added Mrs. Smith.

Now that you’ve met the teacher and read her story, read her Q/A’s below to further understand Jessica Smith’s incredible values of teaching and how she’s changing and inspiring young lives in our community.

What have you found most rewarding in your career?

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Smith: There are countless rewarding aspects of teaching, but they all come back to one central theme: seeing the light in a child’s eyes. This light manifests in so many ways—whether it’s the joy of finally understanding a challenging concept, the pride of walking across a stage to receive an award, or the pure wonder of experiencing something magical, like walking down Main Street at Disneyland for the first time. Each moment reinforces the incredible impact we have as educators.

Do you feel that each of your students have left a lasting impression on you?

Smith: Absolutely! Every single child who has passed through my classroom has left a permanent mark on me, shaping who I am as an educator. Each student brings their own unique personality, challenges, and perspectives, and through them, I’ve learned countless lessons about patience, adaptability, empathy, and creativity. Teaching is a constantly growing profession, and my students have been some of my greatest teachers. Every day, I pray to be a better teacher tomorrow than I was today. Teaching middle school students, in particular, is such a joy! They are at a unique stage of life where curiosity and self-discovery are at their peak. They challenge me to think differently, whether it’s about refining my teaching methods, approaching situations with a fresh perspective, or keeping up with the latest trends in slang, social media, and fashion. Their energy and humor bring life to the classroom, and every interaction reminds me why I love what I do. In many ways, teaching is a two-way street. While I hope to impart knowledge and skills that will help them succeed, they, in turn, teach me lessons that I carry with me forever.

What advice would you like to give to new or upcoming educators?

Smith: Teaching is an amazing profession! Don’t be afraid to dive in and consider working with middle school students—they’re always full of energy and fun! I have a sign hanging by my desk (I sometimes need the reminder) for many years that sums this up…Be yourself, love your students, have fun, laugh with your kids, be spontaneous, break a few rules, and hang in there!

How does it make you feel to see the success that many of your previous students have become?

Smith: As a teacher, the greatest vision is knowing that you’ve made a meaningful difference in a child’s life. I enjoy seeing my past students succeed in various ways. Success takes so many forms, and it’s wonderful to watch them grow, pursue their passions, and live fulfilling lives. Seeing them get married, have children, and build rewarding careers is incredibly special. It’s also amazing to teach alongside former students, receive weather reports from one of them, and connect in countless other ways. Social media has made it all possible, allowing us to stay in touch and continue sharing in each other’s lives.

If you could tell your past students or future students one thing that you hope will stick with them all throughout life, what would that be?

Smith: I would tell them to work hard, pursue an honest living, and strive for something they can truly be proud of. I hope they remember that we are always cheering them on. Every mistake, challenge, or victory is an opportunity to learn and grow. As I remind them at the end of each class: ‘Love you, mean it!’

What’s a favorite memory or some of your favorite memories that you have from your time as an educator?

Smith: Twenty years of teaching brings out a lot of memories. Many of those inside the classroom as well as outside the classroom. A few of these are taking multiple groups of Jr. Beta students to Nashville and experiencing the sights or taking FBLA members on their first plane trip across the country or taking a group to Atlanta and riding Marta for the first time. There are so many things in the classroom as well.