Maria May Smith has been an educator for almost 40 years in Pascagoula.
She was a special education teacher at Colmer Middle School for 28 years. While there, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year on multiple occasions.
For the past seven years, she’s taught theology to 9th, 11th and 12th graders at Resurrection Catholic High School. She also teaches math at the Adult Learning Center which prepares adults to earn a high school equivalency (GED).
A volunteer opportunity during high school at the International Special Olympics, coupled with her desire to help others, confirmed that her calling was to become a special education teacher. She then graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in special education.
Smith’s favorite part about teaching has always been the students.
“I love them – all of them, every year!” Smith said.
While teaching theology was new to her, being able to teach and share her Catholic faith has been the most rewarding experience.
“I particularly enjoy the service aspect of my job. I love being able to instill a love of community service in the students.”
And the learning doesn’t take place just in the classroom.
“Taking students each week to the Jackson County Exceptional School and running a pantry for Backpack Buddies keeps us very busy, but I do believe I am helping to form future community leaders.”
Smith has had many memorable moments throughout the years, but her proudest accomplishment is having a 55-year-old student pass her high school equivalency test.
“My adult students are my heroes. It is very difficult to go back and earn a high school diploma at night after so many years away from the classroom.”
There is no daily mantra or inspirational quote that gets her through the day. Instead, what keeps Smith going is remembering that every person is a child of God and she strives to give them her very best every day.
Smith comes from a family of educators. While her mother was a nurse, her grandmother was a teacher, as are her three sisters.
“Between us, we have taught nearly everyone in Pascagoula and Moss Point in the past 35 years!”
Smith feels blessed to have had wonderful teachers who have inspired her.
“In my career, I have tried to set the bar as high as my 6th grade teacher, Peggy Tanner. I have also tried to develop relationships with my students like I had with my gifted education teacher, Beverly Alexander. I think of these ladies every day.”
When not working, Smith enjoys gardening, cooking, boating, crabbing with her husband, and spending time with her parents and sisters. She and her husband share five children and four grandchildren and are expecting number five this summer. Right now, she’s busy planning the wedding of her youngest child. She is also active in her parish, St. Joseph the Worker in Moss Point.
