Lisa Smith

# of years at FWAFA: 23

What do you love most about FWAFA? The mission and the students and the fact that it is my daughters’ alma mater.

What is your highest degree and from what school? B.A. from Purdue University

What is your philosophy? TScholars develop their knowledge by building on their current skills and interest. It is vital that they want to learn and even better if they are interested in the subject. To do this, I design/plan lessons that are creative, interactive, as well as geared to enhance what they already know and make them want to know more. I acknowledge that all students are unique and come from different backgrounds, so their circumstances and experiences can be shared in the classroom in a positive manner. Social interactions, such as those experienced through discussion and group work, are essential to the advancement of knowledge. All students must engage actively in their personal learning journey not only to gain knowledge but also to retain it. I start with the phrase: learning is active not passive. I evaluate students’ understanding of new ideas by being familiar with each student to know what they know and what they can achieve. Students’ motivation and a willingness to learn are crucial to the learning process. This is especially successful in a classroom where they feel safe and valued.

What is something that makes YOU unique? I am a world traveler. I have been to 5 of the 7 continents and to every state in the U.S. Traveling and experiencing different cultures and world history is one of my passions. I also love to write and to share this passion with my students. I am also an avid cinephile! I studied filmmaking in college with a goal to direct movies but was led to do non-profit work instead, which led me to a group that was creating a new charter school that they named FWAFA. I have been at our school since the beginning and have served in a variety of positions. FWAFA has been a part of my life for more than 2 decades….I am definitely one of the OGs.

Favorite Artist (musician, writer, director, painter, etc.): Musician: Dan Fogelberg – Band: Eagles and Styx – Director: Just WOW, where do I start – Painter – My girls (former FWAFA art students)

What are your hobbies? Traveling, Scrapbooking my adventures, Bible Study, MOVIES!!