In her 20 years of teaching, Smith has helped shape a generation of learners — first in her home community of Hudson Bay, then at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Warman.
“It’s such a gift to have her as a teacher and to have the kids go through her classroom. They just have such a leg up.” “I just think I’m a reflection of the people that I work with in my school, and my mentors and career,” Smith says.Smith received a diploma in Early Childhood Development from Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon and went on to work in daycares and as Child Life Worker at St. Paul’s Hospital before turning to education.“I had really strong teachers that were always very positive about their profession, and they thoroughly enjoyed what they were doing,” she says.
Smith continued that role for the community’s children — and for her own daughter and four sons — upon returning to Hudson Bay years later to teach, whether they were hitting the rink to figure skate or play hockey. Shelley Smith stands for a photograph at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Warman, Sask. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Smith says Davidson — her former colleague from that time and current friend and inspiration — is a “terrific mentor” who imparted the importance of building strong connections.
“She takes every opportunity, every story to talk about how to be a good person. Like the Three Little Pigs, she’ll turn that into a growth mindset — how could that wolf have been kinder? It’s relentless,” she says with a laugh.Article contentOver the years, she’s watched Smith work long hours to change her classroom themes to create a new and exciting environment for her students.