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Can you tell us about yourself? 

"Hi, my name is Latisha Smith. I teach at a school in Baldwyn, MS. I teach 7th and 8th grades ICT. In this class, we learn about technology and careers. This is my 17th year teaching and it's my first year teaching ICT. In the past, I have taught 6th grade ELA for many years."

Why did you start a career in education?

"Why did I start my career in education? Well, I have always loved sharing my knowledge with others. I love school and I just love to learn so I just wanted to share it with others. My teachers when I was growing up, all my teachers, inspired me to become who I am today. So, I wanted to inspire the lives of others, as well."

If you could have any other job what would it be and why?

"If I could have any other job what would it be and why? If I did have the opportunity to work somewhere else I think it would be in the medical field because I really enjoy being around people and helping other people." 

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

"How are kids different now than 30 years ago? I think technology has really changed children and who they are. They learn so differently now. We now know so much about how to help students with learning better. So, I think technology has really changed who we are and children as well because we are always trying to keep up with making sure the children are learning their best and trying to stay up-to-date with the technology that they use now. Because they know so much more when they come into school than they did many years ago."

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

 "How is teaching different now? Well that goes back to technology. We are always trying to keep with making sure students are learning and keeping them interested in learning and sharing with them new ways of learning. So, I think teaching is more of a collaborative experience where we are working together as teachers, we're working together as students and we are knowing more how students learn better. So, it's no more of students just sitting there and teachers talking. It's everybody working together for a common goal of education." 

What would you tell someone who wants to become a teacher?

"What would I tell someone right now that's thinking about becoming a teacher? I think that I would tell them someone that it's a great profession to get into and I think that they will love it especially if they want to inspire others. It's a lifetime of learning different people and always meeting new people and sharing your knowledge with others. I think it's a great career where you can touch the lives of so many people."

What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better?

"What is one thing I would change to help kids learn better? I think going back the technology, I would make sure that every student had computers in their homes and that they had everything that they need to succeed in their education. Technology is one of the ways they're going to have to have they up-to-date technology in their homes. Not just at school but in their homes as well. I think this would really help all students be able to achieve their very best."