Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1511668
December 2023/January 2024 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 2 GET TO KNOW ME GET TO KNOW ME Marleta Smith High School Instructional Coach at South Central Calhoun CSD Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up in Lake City and graduated from Southern Cal in 2004. I went to Morningside College, now Morningside University, and got my degree in Elementary Education with a Reading endorsement and a Music minor. I taught fifth grade and some sixth grade in my home district before we started whole grade sharing with Rockwell-City Lytton. I have also taught fourth grade, K-3 TAG and technology, was a technology coach and returned to instructional coach. When I was in high school, some of the extra curriculars I participated in were Flags, Speech, and Academic Decathlon, and now I am the coach/sponsor of those same activities! This is my 16th year of teaching, and I also teach Humanities at the high school. How are you involved with the union? I became vice-president of our local during my third year of teaching and received a local leader email to attend a Lincolnway Unit meeting. I have been involved in or held a position in the unit or council leadership since. In my local, I have served on the teacher quality committee, negotiations, membership, and as building rep, treasurer, and president. I am currently the executive board rep and chair of Council 8. What's one skill you think everyone should have? Empathy. It seems today's society is so quick to react, shame, or record a video to post on social media when we should be considering what the other person is feeling or going through. We cannot see what others carry with them. I know if I am stressed or anxious or short- tempered, someone else may be as well. If we can remember to give each other grace, patience, and kindness, that would greatly impact relationships. We want to be validated and know if someone cares. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them? If I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would meet Grace Hopper. We studied the history of computers, and she invented the compiler. I would ask her about being a part of the evolution of computers and how they work. Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? I would most like to swap places with Dolly Parton. She gives back to so many with her book program for children. I would like to be a part of something like that. She also seems like a kind, positive, and genuine person. We all need a little sunshine in our lives. What's the most memorable concert or live event you've attended? I love musicals and concerts. The first musical I saw on stage was Les Misérables when I was in 6th grade, and it has been a favorite since. They had the circle stage at that time. My favorite musician is Jim Brickman, America's Romantic Piano Sensation. I try to see him whenever I can. Some of my most memorable shows were seeing Aladdin and Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway in New York with students. One of my bucket list items was getting to hear the Boston Pops 4th of July Concert live. That was possible because I was a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly. What's the coolest thing you're working on now? The coolest thing I'm working on at home is organizing my playbills from all of the musicals I have gone to into binders, so I have a record of everything I have seen. The coolest thing I'm working on at school is working with students to prepare for large group and individual speech season and Academic Decathlon competitions next semester. Know an interesting ISEA member who should be featured in Communique's Get To Know Me column? Send a nomination to mike.wiser@isea.org Marleta Smith