WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Top Teacher: Delania Smith

Top Teacher: Delania Smith

by Jody Chapin - email

HINESVILLE, GA (WTOC) -  For 11 years, Delania Smith has helped fifth graders reach their goals and dreams like the lead character in the book they're reading.

They're dream is to go on to sixth grade. To reach that dream fifth graders at Joseph Martin Elementary School in Hinesville had to pass both reading and math CRCT's. Something para-pro Melonie Tucker says isn't always easy to do.

"Sometimes fifth graders can be distracted," says Tucker. "Ms. Smith finds a way to teach and make it engaging, make it fun.  She comes up with all kinds of different things for them to do to stay focused on the subject."

"They're so scared when they come in because they know it's the test year and to help them grow and succeed and send them on to middle school, there's nothing like that," says Smith.

She's been there for her students from the first day and she's staying to the very last, even though her husband's career has already sent him off to Texas. She'll wait until school is out to join him.

"How many are in the military?" asks Smith. "I am."

She made the decision to let her husband go on ahead and she stayed to finish out the year with her class and when she saw how well they did on the tests, she said it was well worth it.

The military brought Delania Smith to Georgia and it's the military that's now taking her away.

"She's going to be missed," says Tucker. "She does a lot around the school."

Her students and fellow workers will remember Smith for her energetic and kindhearted manner.

Delania Smith will remember Joseph Martin Elementary as the school that made her a WTOC Top Teacher.

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