Wanda Smith always wanted to be a teacher, but after graduating from high school, she had to put her dream aside to take care of her mother and work to support her family.
Wanda worked long hours as a bus monitor and janitor for the Brenham Independent School District in Texas (USA), but she taught a lesson in motivation and never gave up hope that one day she would lead a classroom.
Times of Struggle and Perseverance
It was 9 years attending night classes, taking care of their 3 children and almost dropping out of school amid the loss of their mother and sisters. But in 2010, she finally graduated from Sam Houston State College and received her teaching certificate.
Wanda then returned as a teacher at the first grade Brenham Elementary school where she had previously worked as a janitor. “When I’m in front of my classroom, I’m living my dream,” said Wanda.
Dr. Alisa White, president of Sam Houston College, surprised Wanda with a $500 scholarship in her name. The ‘Wanda Smith Make a Difference’ Scholarship goes to a college student who also wants to pursue a teaching career.
The honor was followed by Brenham Mayor Milton Tate Jr. declaring that day Wanda Smith Day. “Wanda, you are not only an inspiration to your students, but also to our community,” said the mayor.
Kim Rocka, headmistress of Brenham Elementary, also paid her respects and unveiled a bench outside the school with her name and favorite quote written on it: “be the best you can be.”
With her husband’s encouragement, she returned to school to earn an associate’s degree at Blinn College, a junior college in Brenham, in 2004. A year later, she enrolled at Sam Houston State College. In 2010, she took the stage at graduation with her diploma, much to the delight of her husband and children.
an inspiring teacher
In 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, Wanda wanted to make her students happy, so she personally delivered school supplies to their homes, as many of them had single parents who were at work and didn’t have time to pick them up from school.
She wanted her students to keep up with their learning. Now, the love for education is what Wanda tries to transmit from her own life to her young apprentices.
