INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK: Danielle Smith

Danielle Smith, a first-grade teacher at Dillard Street Elementary School, has been named Teacher of the Year at DSES and is a finalist for Orange County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Last year, she won the school’s Hero Teacher Award.

Smith hosts an afterschool Science Club along with Shelly Branch for kindergarten through second-grade students. The two started the club last year with funding from the local DAR chapter. This year, she applied for and received the Duke Energy - Math, Science and Energy Education grant to bring coding with Blue Bots, circuit kits and 3D pens to the club.

What brought you to your school?

I moved to the area four years ago from Southwest Florida, where I had taught. I originally started at Summer Lake Elementary School in OCPS, and when the opportunity came up to work closer to home, I was very excited about it! I love that I can drive my golf cart to work, and because Dillard Street Elementary is my zoned school, my two sons can ride along with me! It is wonderful to share this educational experience with my children.

What do you love most about your school?

This school is my extended family. I feel supported by everyone I work with, making it an enjoyable place to work and a safe space for me to experiment and grow in my profession. The school also expands this feeling of family to the entire school community: the entire staff takes the time to get to know every student and their families in a way that builds positive relationships.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

One rewarding part of my job is growing readers and, hopefully, lifelong learners. Watching students go from not knowing any letters or sounds to understanding the written word is an amazing experience! There is nothing like seeing their eyes light up and their faces glow when they realize they have become a reader. I feel lucky and privileged to be a part of my students’ journeys into knowledge of all subject areas.

Also rewarding to me are the relationships with my students and their families, which extend beyond the classroom. Every year is a new opportunity to get to know new students and their families. I cherish these relationships as I watch these young people grow up in our community.

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?

If I weren’t a teacher in the public school system, I would be involved with a community-based profession because I love being a part of the local community!

Who influences you?

I am lucky to have had so many positive influences in my life. From my early days as a teacher at Deep Creek Elementary School in Southwest Florida, I had wonderful mentors who guided and supported me. In every school in which I have worked, I have wonderful and inspiring teachers from whom I have learned valuable lessons. One of OCPS’ core values is collaboration, and I feel that is a huge influence and contributes to my success here. So many educators and staff at OCPS have willingly extended their help and support. I hope that whether I have worked with fellow colleagues for years or have just had the opportunity to be with them during a PD experience, I have been able to reciprocate the positive support I have felt.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher is my mother, who was a reading teacher for almost 30 years. The way she loves her students, her passion for their success, and her gift of teaching others to read is an inspiration. I remember being a staff kid being at school with her, and the smell of the copy room, the die cuts, and the smell of paper and books. It brings me back to my childhood. To this day, she is a lifelong learner who takes coursework to improve her skills. She works with children in an after-school writing club and always has a book with her. She leads by example, and that is the type of teacher I aspire to be as well.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

I could never pick one because it really depends upon what I am experiencing and feeling! Perhaps I could give you a book each week? Right now, our favorite book as a class for laughs is “I Say Ooh You Say Aah,” by John Kane. I love everything by Mo Willems, but “We Are Growing!” is always a fun first-grade read. Lastly, because it is fall, I would recommend “Scarecrow,” by Cynthia Rylant.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Nothing gives me more joy than spending time with my family! My sons are all involved in baseball, and I love watching them play! I also enjoy going on trips to Disney, gardening, being in nature, walking outside, and traveling to the mountains with my husband and sons.

My extended family visits us often in Winter Garden, and that is also very special to me.

If you could dine with any famous person, who would it be and why?

I would love to dine with Joanna Gains. I have no doubt we would eat something wonderful because I have many of her cookbooks! She is a mother and entrepreneur, and has a great sense of style and creativity. I love what she represents and how she lives her life with class and style.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Endless energy and perfect health would be helpful in my job and life. I fight a lot of germs working with little ones, and I don’t like to be sick and miss time at school. Also, with two young sons and an energetic Jack Russell terrier, I could use more energy!

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?

While I do love all music genres, country brings me back to when I rode horses in my younger years! I also love anything I can sing along with, like the Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix, and Taylor Swift.

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved apples. As a young girl, we had apple trees on our property, so climbing and picking apples to eat is a great childhood memory. I also remember always loving Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies and ice cream!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I love being together with family, giving thanks for everything I have, and the food: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, yum!

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend in school was Stephanie Tronnes. At the time, we not only looked alike, but we also had a lot in common. We were both in 4-H and loved horses and fashion. We had the best time together.

My lifelong best friends have always been my two sisters. They are my constant sounding boards, and I am so grateful to have them. Now that we are grown with families of our own, we have children who are close in age. It’s the best watching the cousins grow up together.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

When I was a student, I was in 4-H and Girl Scouts and rode horses after school. Horseback riding was my passion for many years.

How long have you been at your school and with OCPS?

This is my fourth-year teaching with OCPS and my third-year teaching at Dillard Street Elementary School. Prior to that, I was a kindergarten teacher for four years in Punta Gorda.