Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Penny Smith
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — Penny Smith teaches art at Huntingdon High School. She says she knows her class may not come easily to everyone. “Lot of times when they take special for the first time, they’re scared because they’re like ‘I don’t know how to draw,'” Smith said. “I always tell them, ‘well, if you knew how, I wouldn’t have a job.'” Smith is a proud West Tennessee native, growing up in Huntingdon. She attended Freed-Hardeman University for two years before transferring to UT Martin, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree. “With art, not everybody’s is the same, so therefore does it make it wrong?” Smith said. “No, it doesn’t. The more they get into it, the more they enjoy it.” Her mother was an educator, and Smith almost followed in her footsteps to become a special education teacher. “After my mother died, my aunt encouraged me to pursue art since I had and interest in it and I was good at it,” she said. “I took her advice, and that’s what I did.” Smith says her favorite part about teaching is how interactive her job is. “I’d rather do the hands-on than stand up and lecture in front of them. I enjoy that contact one-on-one with the kids.”
She says she could have retired by now but that she enjoys teaching so much that she’s just not ready to give it up. “I enjoy being with the kids — they keep me young.” Smith now will be eligible for the statewide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. To vote for her or any of the other nominees, visit seehowitaddsup.com. To nominate a teacher for the WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News weekly award, email educator@wbbjtv.com.
