April Teacher of the Month: Hunter Smith helps students build skills for the future

Smith teaches business classes that go beyond textbooks, giving students hands-on lessons in marketing, entrepreneurship and real-world problem-solving. “We’re diving in hard right now, working on marketing plans, entrepreneurship; just all business this time of year,” Smith said.

From building business plans to thinking like entrepreneurs, students in Smith’s classroom are learning skills they can use well beyond middle school. For Smith, work is personal. “I went to school for business administration, played college baseball, and thought it’d be fun to come back home and teach and coach,” he said.

What started as a plan turned into a purpose. After more than a decade in education, Smith said one of the biggest keys to reaching students is connection. “I try to relate my lessons to what they like, real-world connections. That’s what engages them,” Smith said.

He said that approach helps students see beyond the classroom and think more seriously about future careers. “The skills they need for high-paying jobs don’t take as long as they used to,” Smith said. “I love that for kids.”

Smith also said teaching is a two-way street, and his students help keep him accountable. “They hold you accountable,” he said. “They expect consistency more than you think.”

He credits the school community for helping support both teachers and students. “The community support here is tremendous,” Smith said. “Everybody’s bought in. It’s very unique.”