Education
Education

First-year Gwinnett County teacher talks about classroom challenges

First-year teacher Audrey Smith gathers her students together a final time before lining them up to head to the buses on the last day of school at Baldwin Elementary School on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, in Norcross. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

First-year teacher Audrey Smith gathers her students together a final time before lining them up to head to the buses on the last day of school at Baldwin Elementary School on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, in Norcross. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
May 30, 2017

Gwinnett County teacher Audrey Smith just finished her first year leading a class of students.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution followed Smith’s first year as a teacher. We asked her at the start of the school year what would be the greatest challenges and a similar question on the last day of school.

Here’s her answer on the first day of school in August 2016:

Here’s Smith’s answer on Wednesday, the last day of school:

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

President Donald Trump's administration told education departments this week it's delaying some federal grants that fund after-school and other programs. Officials said the money is under review and has been "grossly misused" by some school districts in the past. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Credit: AP

Georgia schools could be impacted by federal funding delay

Georgia schools are waiting on $200 million in federal grants used to fund after school and other programs. The Trump administration says the money is under review.

Ga. Head Start programs get $8 million lifeline to stay open during shutdown

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is giving some of Georgia's at-risk Head Start programs bridge loans to stay operational for 45 days.

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

As head drum major, Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede is something of a celebrity on FAMU’s campus. For the first time in its history, a woman leads the 340-member Marching 100.

The Latest

Children in the Head Start program play outside with lead teacher Genesis Lavanway at the Arthur M. Blank Early Learning Center. It's one of the Head Start programs in Georgia that may not receive its annual funding on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. A bridge loan from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will keep the programs running for another 45 days. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Ga. Head Start programs get $8 million lifeline to stay open during shutdown

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

Georgia students flock to Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk killing

Featured

Gov. Brian Kemp. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

‘Where does this end?’ Why Kemp opposes state bailout of food stamp program

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp rejects calls to tap state funds to keep food assistance flowing as federal government shutdown enters its fourth week.

2025 Georgia-Florida game marks the end of an era in rivalry

From a Georgia perspective, Saturday’s game is the end of an era. But like the construction around the stadium, Florida looks to tear down what was built for something better.

Georgia lawyer sanctioned for AI use in comedian Katt Williams’ assault case

A Georgia lawyer in an assault case against comedian Katt Williams was sanctioned for relying on fake legal arguments created by artificial intelligence.