My name is Dori Smyth and I am the building STEM teacher! This year marks my 24th year of teaching, and 21 years of those have been right here at MTES! I am blessed to have the opportunity to teach every child in our building the foundations of STEM. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is more than just a group of subjects. It’s a way of integrating these crucial areas into a holistic approach to learning and problem-solving.
As I explore STEM, I envision it as a fusion recipe that blends four basic ingredients to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. This educational framework aims to develop not only knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios.
One of the core principles of STEM education is to teach a student to become self-confident in his/her ability to learn and become a lifelong independent learner. STEM’s approach instills a love for exploration and personal evolution. The learning process becomes as important as its outcome. Students are encouraged to apply critical thinking and search for solutions independently without any instructions or guidance. Imagine how much this contributes to their problem-solving skills!
Just some quick facts about me! I live in Mount Olive with my husband, 3 children and 2 dogs. I have a master's degree in educational practice and became an author 7 years ago. I wrote my book called, "The Story of Witch Hazel" that was published through the Dorrance Publishing Company. It was one of my proudest moments because it's a nonfiction story about my life as a little girl and how I celebrated Halloween! I absolutely love holidays and incorporate most of them into a STEM lesson at some point! I love to laugh, smile, and challenge all my students so they can become our future engineers! To learn more about me, click my website link above!
