
Age
20
Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Black/African
Religion
Christian
Church
Baptist (American)
Hobbies and interests
Child Development
Art
Babysitting And Childcare
African American Studies
Costume Design
Coffee
Community Service And Volunteering
Reading
Adult Fiction
Adventure
Chick Lit
Romance
I read books multiple times per week
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
LOW INCOME STUDENT
Yes
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
No
Kayla Smith
1,815
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner
Kayla Smith
1,815
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
Hello! My name is Kayla Smith, and I'm an aspiring educator currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at the University of South Alabama. From a young age, I’ve been passionate about teaching, especially at the elementary level, where I believe I can make a real difference in young lives. Growing up, I faced personal challenges that have shaped who I am today, influencing my teaching philosophy. I’m committed to creating a nurturing and welcoming environment for my future students. I'm also deeply involved on campus, spending much of my time giving tours to prospective and incoming students, and I love getting involved in activities that make our community a better place.
Education
University of South Alabama
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Education, General
GPA:
3.6
University of South Alabama
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Education, General
GPA:
3.6
Ramsay High School
High SchoolGPA:
3.5
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Education, General
Career
Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Elementary Education Teacher
Tour Guide
University of South Alabama Perspective Student Program2023 – Present2 yearsSnow cone Maker
Birmingham Southern Snow2020 – Present5 yearsCashier
Michaels2022 – Present3 years
Sports
Track & Field
Varsity2016 – 20204 years
Arts
- Jewelry2019 – Present
Art III
Visual ArtsPresentHigh School Theatre
TheatrePresent
Public services
Advocacy
Women of Excellence — Sisterhood Committee2025 – PresentVolunteering
Circle K International — Committee Board2024 – PresentVolunteering
McWane Science Center — Teen VolunteerPresentAdvocacy
Green Team ClubPresentVolunteering
School Key ClubPresent
Future Interests
Volunteering
Sandy Jenkins Excellence in Early Childhood Education Scholarship
WinnerFrom the time I was a child, I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do as a career. I can vividly remember using my younger sister as well as any stuffed animals I could find, and making use of furniture around the house to create an atmosphere that resembled a classroom. Growing up, I realized this project provided me with a great opportunity to express my creativity. I look at teaching as a way to serve the community. It is both an outlet for creativity and a chance to impact the lives of future successors. I strive to understand the mind of a child in order to develop techniques that are effective for each child in my practice. I hope to introduce new concepts and provide strategies to help students understand these concepts better. The most effective teachers inspire students to work hard and push themselves, and I hope my work, time, and effort will make a significant contribution to a child's success. It is the youth who form the backbone of a community. They are dreamers possessing incredible potential that will be turned into accomplishments. Providing them with constructive motivation and a shoulder to lean on can give them both hope and brighten their future outlook. As a future educator, my goal is to provide students of the future with a stable resource. This resource will be one that they can turn to when they need help not only in terms of their academics. Whether it’s personal or school-related, I want my students to know that I am always present and available. Passion can be defined as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement regarding a particular subject or subject matter. Passion is said to be the basis of effective teaching. A strong sense of passion ignites within me when I think about the possibility of inspiring students and creating opportunities that can change their lives. It is teachers who shape society's future leaders to build positive future generations. A teacher's commitment and dedication to students and their learning are important elements in developing a passion for teaching. I am hoping that my passion for my work will inspire and awaken the learning desire in students. With their incredible potential, youth seem to be crucial to shaping the future. The passion for teaching that I have, stems from my goal of encouraging students to achieve their life objectives, transfer their talents, and achieve their full potential throughout my career.