How One SMART Teacher Bolstered Student Confidence and Love of Learning
(Fall 2022) – Nneka Williams has been teaching math and wellness since 1999. Last spring she came across an ad seeking a teacher for SMART’s 2022 Summer Academic Enrichment Program. She was intrigued by SMART’s stated organizational values, and specifically the value of Joy, which she believes is so important for learning. However, what she found most compelling was SMART’s program design that starts engaging students in 4th grade and supports them all the way through college graduation.
During the school year Nneka teaches math to 8th grade students, and saw SMART’s summer program as an opportunity to teach 6th grade students for a change. She knew well the middle school journey they were about to begin. She explained; “Most students love school in 4th and 5th grade but in middle school – grades 6, 7, and 8, school becomes more challenging. The goal is to help them become well-rounded individuals who can advocate for themselves, learn, and collaborate.”
Nneka noticed that the pandemic had impacted students’ social skills. The six-week SMART summer program was essential for them to quickly revive their social skills and develop a sense of community with their peers. She appreciated how SMART’s Summer Program was well-structured with a good balance of academic and social-emotional learning. “I really liked the way daily activities were scheduled,” she explained. “Students met with their advisors, engaged in activity-based math, and finally enjoyed reading. Some students don’t like to read, but the choice of reading material, for example, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, were important to engage reluctant readers, and student response was enthusiastic”.
Nneka played an important role for SMART Scholars during the summer.
“I just listened. At this age students want to be seen and heard. They are very concerned about what others think of them. I let them know that I was interested in what they had to say. They need confidence for the middle school journey.”
Nneka has many memories from this past summer at SMART, but what she remembers most is a poem written by a SMART student – Isabella. It is called “Ode To My Eyes”. Isabella, who identifies as Asian American, was self-conscious about her eyes and how she is perceived. Together with Nneka and the support of her peers, Isabella was able to change the way she saw herself and took a big step towards self-acceptance and self-confidence.
“It is transformational when a student stops caring that much about what others think of them,” Nneka added. She is hoping to come back next summer and continue her SMART journey.
