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Teacher Spotlight -
Alisa Smedley |
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Click on any image to see a larger version of the image |
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| E CITY Teacher is a National Winner! |
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Alisa Smedley is E CITY’s first Certified
Entrepreneurship Teacher to be recognized by the National Foundation
for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) for her commitment to
increasing education and economic opportunities for low-income
youth. NFTE founder Steve Mariotti noted that the recipients are
“…world class in their social commitment, creativity and talent in
teaching entrepreneurship.” |
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Nicole and Alisa at the NFTE awards dinner |
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When asked about this award, Alisa draws a line from her present day
successes (which include teaching four E CITY programs) back
to
the first ten years of her life, when her family lived on public assistance.
A determination grew inside her then, and is with her still.
“[W]hile my mom was on welfare, she earned
three degrees. She also instilled an assertive spirit in us.” Alisa
proudly recites the poem that her mom composed when times were
tough. “It’s called ‘Wings of Freedom’ and it goes like this:
I have given you wings, now fly
Leave this binding nest
And soar beyond the clouds
Drink deeply from the nectar of
life
Knowing that tomorrow is your
sacred armor
Against the hopelessness of today
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Alisa and LMM student at graduation |
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Her mom taught the importance of vision and
perseverance, which are also important traits of the entrepreneur,
and Alisa passes that on. “During the program we help them create a
mindset,” she explains. “On the first day, I say: ‘I see a winner
in each of you…together we’ll discover your business idea..’” She
wants to give students a full view of business, and organizes
fabulous field trips to local businesses to accomplish that.
Plus, she simply loves the kids. She
implements
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numerous creative
touches like “Dishwashing Conference Calls,” which are designated
evening hours when she will talk to them by phone, while she washes
her dishes.
It has been said that we are best at teaching
those things which we, ourselves, needed to learn. Maybe that’s why
Alisa has been equally as effective with her small acting troupe
which teaches basic money management principles to elementary school
students. “We’re called ‘The Money Ladies Live,’” she explains.
“We wear umbrella hats when we do our program, to remind kids to
always save for a rainy day,” she says, giggling. “I want them to
start early with good money habits. A background of bad habits will
haunt you.”
Alisa adds: “If I could say something to all of
our students, it would be this: Look beyond today, especially if
you’re in a negative situation. There are so many possibilities!”
“How do you do this?”
Keep learning ● Find good mentors ● Cut ties to negative
people
Alisa thinks the best part of being named
“Teacher of the Year” is not the trip to New York City for the Times
Square recognition dinner, or the $1,000 prize, but the scholarship
to attend Advanced Teacher Training with NFTE. She can’t wait to
meet the class of like-minded individuals from all over the country.
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