Fort Worth-area teacher wins Texas award as leader in future of profession

The future is now, and it’s award-winning for Kim Smith.

Smith, a technical education teacher at Keller Timber Creek High School, recently was selected as State Teacher Leader of the Year by the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE).

School officials say they believe she is also the first teacher from the Keller school district to win the award.

TAFE is a co-curricular statewide student organization created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession.

“Sharing my passion for the field of education with my future teachers is my calling, and seeing those students in action in their own classrooms with their own students is incredibly fulfilling,” Smith said, calling the award the highlight of her career.

“I was so surprised to be named because there are so many other TAFE Teacher Leaders in Texas who are just as deserving. This award means the absolute world to me and has motivated me to do even more for the future of education in Texas.”

“I have enjoyed working with Kim Smith for the last five years for so many reasons, but primarily because she is incredibly passionate about preparing future teachers for a lifetime of educating students,” said Leslee Shepherd, KISD Executive Director of Student Advancement. “Our district is so fortunate to have an amazing teacher with a heart that purposefully prepares students for success in the future.”

Timber Creek also received blue ribbons in every competitive event at the recent 36th Annual Teach Tomorrow Summit in McAllen. Three senior students qualified for nationals: Naya Oswalt, Kylie Griffin and Rachel Harrell. National competition is June 17-21 in Washington, D.C.

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 7:00 AM.