This week’s Faculty Focus features English teacher, Mrs. Baker Smith! Mrs. Baker-Smith is by far one of the favorites among students at RMA. From English 9 to AP English in 12^th grade, everyone knows Mrs. Baker-Smith and her fun-loving personality! Not only is Mrs. Baker-Smith an English teacher but, as some of her previous students would agree, she is an art teacher (throwback to the 9^th grade research paper, monkey-paw project, etc.), and according to her homeroom last year, a dance teacher! Last year, Mrs. Baker-Smith’s homeroom all participated in Just Dance to start the day off right with the help of Mrs. Baker-Smith’s two beautiful daughters, Roslyn and Brianna. Additionally, starting this year, Mrs. Baker-Smith is the Key Club advisor, assisting and directing the club in any way she can.

To learn more about Mrs. Baker-Smith, read her interview below!

What college did you attend? NC State University

What are your hobbies outside of school?  I love to decorate! If you come visit me during the summer, I will most likely have a paint brush in my hand. But, most of my free time is spent driving my daughters around to their activities and events.

What is a little known fact about you?  I am very shy.

What is the most difficult part of your life?  Sometimes I feel like there is not enough time to do my very best job in all the different areas of my life (mom, wife, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, etc.)

What is your favorite type of music? Anything, and I mean anything but country.

What is your favorite thing about RMA?  I love that RMA is a school that calls itself a family and really means it.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Having parents and students who appreciate the effort I make each day.

What (or who) inspired your career choice? My dad for showing me how much fun educators can have, and Mrs. Mitchell (college freshmen comp class instructor) for teaching me to love English.

What is a pet peeve of yours? I do not like to hear the sound of people chewing their food.  It makes me cringe!

Can you describe your life before RMA? I grew up in Ahoskie, a small town in Northeastern North Carolina.  My parents owned and operated a small private school.  I have two brothers.  I lived a very simple childhood. After completing high school (graduating class of 2 people), I thought that adjusting from a class size of two to two hundred was going to be a problem.  But as luck would have it, I had no trouble!  I loved every second of every minute of every day I spent at NC State.  After graduation from college, I decided to move to Rocky Mount.  After a few months here, I took my first teaching job, and the rest is history.