Ashleigh Smith has been an educator for 23 years, but she achieved that through a law degree.
Smith obtained a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a J.D. degree from Louisiana State University. After teaching for 11 years at Gautier Middle School, for the past 12 years she has taught English I and II and US Government for grades 9, 10 and 12, at Resurrection Catholic High School in Pascagoula.
“I am an alternate-route educator. I believe that gives me a bit of a different perspective because I have worked in fields other than education. I know the skills students need when they leave school, and I try my best to impart those skills,” Smith said.
Although Smith is licensed to teach by the state of Mississippi, she had to take three education courses at the University of Southern Mississippi within the first year or two of teaching. It was for pragmatic reasons that she became an educator.
“I am a complete nerd, and I love the school environment. The school schedule is also excellent for a working mother,” she continued. “I got to be off work when my daughter was out of school.”
Smith’s favorite part about teaching is the interaction with her students.
“They keep me young. Every day at school, I get to laugh. Also, every day is different, and I enjoy seeing what new things will arise each day.”
Of course, with the enjoyment comes challenges, such as having to correct students who make poor choices. She does it, but doesn’t like it. She does find it rewarding when students tell her that they learned something in her class that helped them out in some way. As a personal mantra, Smith tells herself that, “Every day is a new day.” It reminds her to approach each day with a fresh mindset.
“I am a rather traditional teacher because I believe that a firm foundation created from tried-and-true methods sets children up for success in life,” Smith said. ” When I encounter former students who are successful later in college and in their careers, it reinforces my belief in more traditional methods.”
Originally from Sulphur, La., she married her husband, David, after they graduated from LSU. They moved to Gautier when he got a job at Ingalls working as an engineer. She doesn’t come from a family of educators but learned from her parents, both of whom worked in government, that education was important.
“We were expected to excel, and we did.”
While recognition and awards are nice, Smith doesn’t draw inspiration from them.
“Receiving accolades isn’t something that motivates me. The real rewards come from seeing students excel beyond the classroom.”
When not working, Smith enjoys spending time with her family, reading books (especially historical fiction), boating, camping, gardening, and raising chickens. She and David have one daughter, Caroline, a Mississippi State graduate, who will be getting married this summer.
