‘Teacher of the Month’ receives record number of submissions

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — WWAY’s Teacher of the Month series is back on for the 2024-2025 school year, starting things off in New Hanover County.

Christina Smolick teaches Health Science at New Hanover High School. That includes classes like Anatomy and Physiology.

“I love the students, first and foremost, and I love their passion when they come into my classroom wanting to learn everything about the body,” Smolick said. “Sometimes they rediscover passions that they did not know that they previously have had.”

Ms. Smolick says she helps fuel that passion through hands on projects and activities, rather than boring busywork.

“Bringing the lessons, like what they’re learning academically, and just doing fun projects that relate to that lesson,” Smolick said. “Also making an impact on the community, doing community service projects.”

Her efforts seem to be working. Ms. Smolick received half a dozen nominations from students and parents. In addition to her teaching style they also praised her trustworthy nature, with some calling her their school “mom.”

Ms. Smolick poses with three students who nominated her for Teacher of the Month.
(Photo: Matt Bennett/WWAY)

“She’s a teacher that makes school not so boring and draining,” said 11th grader Olivia Sanders. “You come to her class and it’s like, it’s not school it’s like separated from school. It’s like a safe space.”

“She’s very supportive of me and helps me do my work and has motivated me to be more interested in the healthcare field,” said Diana Maldonado.

Speaking of the healthcare field, one student highlighted Ms. Smolick’s efforts to bring a future health professionals club to the high school.

“We didn’t have one and she wanted students to have more than just Health Science I and Health Science II who really wanted to go into the healthcare field,” said Dakota Thompson. “She’s just awesome, and I’m so glad she won!”

As Teacher of the Month, Ms. Smolick received a $400 prize from Fulford Heating and Cooling and Beach Bagels and Subs.