Abilene educator inspires students & teachers alike, named Texas Teacher of the Year

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – As the school year comes to a close, many students look forward to summer vacations, while teachers use the break to prepare for the upcoming year. One teacher at Stafford Elementary has been using her platform to spread her passion for education across the state.

Taniece Thompson-Smith is a fifth-grade science and social studies teacher. She has dedicated herself to her profession, earning the title of Texas Teacher of the Year. She is excited to be part of a group that shares her love of her profession.

“I get to travel the country now and go to different places and talk to different educators and students and other people in the education field who care about education and who care about their future and our generation,” Thompson-Smith said.

As an immigrant, Thompson-Smith teaches her students about the opportunities available to them.

“America changed my life, and so I’ve dedicated the rest of my life in order to be an instrument of change and a vessel of change for other students so that they can see what’s possible,” Thompson-Smith said.

Even though Ms. Thompson-Smith is the teacher in the classroom, she fosters transparency to bridge the gap between her students.

“I try to bring a mindset that I also am a lifelong learner. I also am trying to learn and grow. I want to facilitate that environment where students can be inspired to do the same,” Thompson-Smith said.

Her one piece of advice for teachers, new and old to the profession, is to be themselves.

“It’s important that teachers are authentic with who they are and what they do,” Thompson-Smith said. “When you teach, there is really no separation between who you are as a person and what you do. Because if no one else knows you, your students are going to know you best.”

Thompson-Smith will hold this title until the 2025 recipient is announced in October of this year.

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