Katie Smith was a four-year starter on the LA Tech softball team, earning the status of team captain for three seasons.  Impactful on and off the field, the shortstop was an impressive fielder, recording more than 750 outs during her career'  Smith was also named to the CUSA Commissioner's List in each of her four seasons. Hailing from Shreveport, La., Smith graduated with a degree in kinesiology: health and physical Education and was named to LA Tech softball's All-Decade team in 2020.

What is the best thing about being a teacher?
Being able to watch young people grow over four years, whether it be the students in my classroom or the athletes I coach. I tell our kids all the time - if they don’t leave here better people then we haven’t done our job. You won’t get through to all of them, that is impossible, but what makes it worth it are the ones you do get through to.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
I knew I wanted to become a softball coach at some sort of level. I had an incredible college experience and I knew I could have success coaching. A lot of the values I teach on the field, I also teach in the classroom. It is less about x’s and o’s of teaching and more about life lessons for me. I have told many people I learned more on a softball field than anywhere else in my life.
 
What was your favorite subject in school?
Honestly, all I cared about in school was getting to my softball class every day! I did what I had to do in school to maintain good grades & a good GPA but I didn’t invest a whole lot of time into learning (lol). If I had to pick a favorite subject, I would probably say History.
 
What makes a “good” day at school?
Every day is a good day when we are productive. Wake up and show up with a good, positive attitude, getting things done, and encouraging the kids to get done what they need to get done without causing problems. It doesn’t always work that way, but when we can have a day like that, that is always a good day. Most students do not enjoy coming to school, so it is important to try and make it as positive for them as we can.

How do you remember all your students’ names?
I do not have any special routing in learning my kids’ names, it only takes me a couple of weeks and I have all the names down!

If you could take your students anywhere on a field trip, where would you take them?
I think I’d love to take them to tour a prison. The students I teach don’t come from a whole lot and they’ve been surrounded by illegal activity the majority of their lives. Some of my students have spent time in prison, but I think being able to go somewhere to show them ‘Hey, this is where you could end up if you don’t get it together’ – I believe it would be beneficial.

What advice can you share for future teachers?
It is easy to be stressed out and negative about our profession, but these are things you can control. Be proactive, pick your battles, give every kid a chance. Create your OWN opinion about every student you have. It would be a mistake if took the word of your coworker regarding a student – you are in for a long semester if you don’t give the kid the benefit of the doubt until he/she shows you otherwise. Be loyal, trustworthy, and do not involve yourself in any mess that goes on in your workplace.