About Teacher

Phone: My classroom phone extension is 2976

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor and Master Fine Arts Degrees Post-baccalaureate Degree Elementary Education

Greg Smith

Hello Coyotes! My name is Greg Smith and I am very honored and excited to be teaching 6th-Grade Math & Science at Desert Sun Academy. I look forward to getting to know the students, DSA family members, and working hard with the goal of a successful school year.

Allow me tell you a little about myself, I attended Arizona State and earned Bachelor and Master Degrees in Fine Arts. I later attended Scottsdale College and earned a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Elementary Education. Before coming to DSA I was Vice-President and CFO of a small business that managed national and international clinical drug trials, thus my interest in math and science. During my tenure with the company I was fortunate to have a schedule that allowed me the opportunitty to substitute teach in the Cave Creek and Scottsdale Unified School Districts as well as teach at several Maricopa Community Colleges. I have always had a passion to learn and share what I’ve learned with others as a teacher. Perhaps it’s genetic, my father is a retired public-school teacher with thirty-seven years of service. Following in his footsteps, I now have the golden opportunity to walk into my own classroom and welcome and invite students to learn from day one, to the very last day of the school year. In my "free time" I like to work out, swim laps, play tennis, cook, do projects around the house, read, travel, and spend time with my beautiful wife and family.

 Contact Me: Greg Smith

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Educational Philosophy

  • I believe, and thrive in a shared classroom environment in which students are encouraged to offer new and pertinent insights about a subject. It is very important to me as a teacher to constantly nurture student success. This involves ensuring the subject matter is challenging and appropriate for all levels of students, and continuously evaluating the relevance and effectiveness of course materials and teaching methods. It also includes providing a "safe" collaborative environment where expression of individual and group opinions are welcomed and encouraged.

    Current advances in technology offer seemingly limitless possibilities in so many areas of our lives including education. I believe that in order to prepare students to function effectively in today's world technology can, and should be, an integral part of the learning environment. Technology in the classroom enhances instruction, provides expanded access to information, and offers a multitude of tools to facilitate personalized learning.

    My philosophy also includes the belief that teachers can be mentors to students. It is important to me that I impart a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward teaching, learning, and life in general. I truly admire and was drawn to the fact that Desert Sun Academy is about student growth. As a new teacher at DSA I intend to take every opportunity to convey to students the positive effect learning can have on their lives now and in the future.

    My strategy is to offer students an opportunity to structure and apply the important aspects of their classwork, and to invite them to demonstrate mastery of the material on mutual terms. I will also indoctrinate the concept and support students in developing the skill of reflecting and taking ownership of their own learning. As research has shown, "...student reflection and ownership lead students to become self-directed learners who take ownership of their academic futures" (The Core Four of Personalized Learning by Scott Johns, January 20, 2016).

    As a newly certified full-time teacher I realize that I will inevitably face new challenges in the classroom. I value and accept these challenges as they will lead to my own personal growth. My goal is to apply the objectives and methods of my teaching philosophy so as to give my students the tools and knowledge to also grow. Afterall, taking part in their success has been and will continue to be the greatest reward for me as a teacher.