instructor profile

Kathleen

Smith

Academy Facilitator/INSTRUCTOR

Mrs. Smith has taught at Olathe Northwest since 2016 and has a Raven heart. She is the e-Communication Facilitator and is most passionate about giving students creative opportunities and creating future leaders.

Her approach to teaching is hands-on project-based learning through differentiated instruction that challenges and encourages every student. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of filmmakers and journalists and strives to show her students their potential and future opportunities.

Mrs. Smith is most proud of the 8 full-length feature films that her Entertainment Video e-Communication students have created in her classes. The feature films premiered at Cinetopia, AMC Prairie Fire, and Boulevard Drive In, and were also produced into Blu-Ray movies.

She believes the most important part of teaching is building relationships with her students and then allowing their creativity to flourish through her guidance.

courses:

Senior Capstone – Video Production I & II (Entertainment)
Intro to Journalism & Entertainment Video Production

EDUCATION:

Master of Science, Educational Leadership – Fort Hays State University
Bachelor of Science in Journalism (News & Information, Sociology Minor) – University of Kansas
Associate of Arts – Johnson County Community College

AWARDS/Certifications:

2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year – Olathe Public Schools (Secondary)
2021 Jack Williamson Service Award
2018 Excellence in Education Award
2018 OPSF Classroom Grant Recipient
2016 Kansas Horizon Educator Nominee

CONTACT INFO:

kasmith@olatheschools.org
(913) 780-7150, ext. 2120
Office Location: ONWHS Rm. 2120