Meet LaFredrick Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaFredrick Smith.

LaFredrick, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am from the small town of College Station, Texas. I was what most people would consider an “at-risk” student. I come from a low-income family, I had behavior issues in school, and my grades weren’t the best. I would have never imagined that in just 10 years of me graduating high school that I would go from failing all of my college courses my first year, clubbing every weekend, shoplifting, etc. to now being the Assistant Principal of an elementary school, having three degrees, and two professional certifications, purchasing my first home at the age of 26, and also having published two books.

My first year teaching I started off as a “fellow teacher”, meaning I would be co-teaching with a more experienced teacher to learn the way. Three weeks into that role, I was called to take-over the 4th-grade classroom down the hall (their teacher quit on them). With no hesitation, I accepted the challenge. I went into the classroom over the weekend and added my personal touch to make it feel like it was mine. I was super excited to have the students come and see what I had prepared for them. That Monday morning, I stood at the door and greeted all of the students as they entered. There was this one young lady that did not respond to my greeting and just walked into the classroom. She immediately began screaming and tearing things off of the walls. When she calmed down, I asked her why she behaved in that manner. She responded, “I want my old teacher back, she was my teacher last year and is supposed to be here with me now.” Even though the teacher had left, she had such a strong relationship with her students that they were truly traumatized about her leaving. At that very moment, I realized I realized the key to education, “relationships”.

From that day, I made a commitment to build genuine relationships with every student that crosses my path. I began getting intentional about how I build relationships with my students. I attend extracurricular activities, I went to birthday parties, I connected with their parents, I celebrated them, I was myself and I allowed them to be themselves. Through these experiences with my students, I began to call what I was doing “Teaching in the Name of Love”, which led to me writing my book in 2017 titled “Teach in the Name of Love”. The book goes into detail about what teaching in the name of love looks in my classroom and how other teachers can do the same.

As an Assistant Principal, I am now able to help other teachers find their way in their classrooms through teaching in the name of love. All students deserve to be loved and have life spoken into them on a daily basis. This is what true education is. Without these genuine relationships and connections, academics just won’t happen.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been anything but smooth. I am a 28-year-old millennial that has accomplished more in my short career that many dreams of. The job alone is not difficult. Now don’t get me wrong, I am a very strong-minded leader who demands nothing but the best for every student in the building. But, just imagine being the youngest person on campus, second in command to the principal and expecting people who have 20 years of experience in the field to transform and understand my innovative ways of teaching. I have been disrespected, talked about, lied on, had my tires slashed.

But, through it all, I always remember sermon that my cousin preached, “There is a Blessing in the Attack”. People don’t attack you because they are hating on you or don’t like you. People attack you because they see in you what they desire to be.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am most proud of my students. They truly are the only reason that I continue to stay in the field of education. I am a strong believer that every child needs just one person that will listen to them and connect with them. That one person can change the trajectory of that child’s life. I am not in the business of educating students, I am in the business of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to go out into the world and be whatever they want to be. I tell all of my students at the end of every year, “don’t hesitate to call Mr. Smith if you need anything that will contribute to you being successful in life.”

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My definition of success is simple, doing what you truly love doing and sharing that with the world.

They say, “your name is in rooms, that your feet haven’t even entered yet”. It’s amazing how God works.

The proudest moment of my career was when this school district in South Carolina reached out to me and wanted to buy 800 copies of my book, “Teach in the Name of Love”. I was blown away! How did they know about me or my book? What made them choose my book out of all of the top-selling education books? Wow!

When I was able to sit down and truly reflect over the purchase, it brought me to tears to know that 800 teachers in one school district was using my book as their focus for the school year. 800 teachers were getting ready to start the school year off with “Teaching in the Name of Love” in their minds and hearts. Over 20,000 students’ lives were going to experience a classroom like never before.

Pricing:

• Teach in the Name of Love – Amazon $7.99

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lafredrickdsmith.com
• Email: lafredricksmith@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafredrickdsmith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lafredrickdsmith
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lafredricksmith

Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.