Kristen Aanerud-Smith, a marine biologist turned fifth grade teacher at Davenport Elementary School, is this week’s featured A+ Teacher. For 16 years, she worked at Sea World and The Florida Aquarium, where she developed a passion for science that now drives her to inspire her students.
Smith’s classroom is filled with pictures of her past experiences in marine biology, which she uses to spark excitement in her students about the world beyond their everyday lives. She was inspired to pursue a career in marine biology by a book about sharks her dad gave her on her 10th birthday, and she credits him with encouraging her to follow her dreams.
This is Smith’s sixth year of teaching, and her second at Davenport Elementary. She enjoys incorporating hands-on activities into her lessons, such as observing caterpillars turn into butterflies and caring for a vegetable and herb garden. Through grants she secured, she was able to fund a hydro garden for her students, providing them with unique learning experiences.
Drawing from her background in grant writing and marine biology, Smith aims to provide her students with engaging, hands-on learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Her ultimate goal is to inspire her students to do their best, be positive, and take their learning beyond the classroom into the real world.