Meet Ms. Bethanie Smith

Bethanie’s teaching career began more than 29 years ago. She has taught preschool at Ray Elementary since 2006. She earned her master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University and is a Nationally Board- Certified Teacher (NBCT). She currently serves as the Primary Team Lead, Garden Coordinator, and member of the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT). She is most passionate about mathematics. She has participated in various math-related professional development opportunities, including the Erikson Institute Early Childhood Math Initiative, conducting Everyday Math training for colleagues, and serving as a Network Leader/Teacher Leader Facilitator for Network 9 in conjunction with the Office of Early Childhood Education. She strives to provide innovative, developmentally appropriate math activities for her students. Participating in and leading training keeps her up to date on the latest developmentally appropriate math activities for her students. She believes that each school year brings exciting new learning experiences that hopefully cultivate a love of learning in our students. She also thoroughly enjoys engaging her students in project-based learning experiences. Spending time in the various Ray gardens and in nature is one of the highlights of the extended outdoor classroom. Her love of the outdoors stems from growing up in rural southern Illinois and gardening with her father. She also loves to bake and often shares her desserts with her beloved Ray family. When she is not enjoying the great city of Chicago, she loves to travel to southern Illinois to visit family (especially her nephew) and childhood friends.