Religion Teacher Katie Smith is not one to draw attention to herself.
Often found in her classroom nourishing students’ faith, in her office connecting with the community, or in the chapel dedicating herself to prayer, she often goes unrecognized. However, when people begin to talk to her, they quickly discover the love and passion she has for her career.
Mr. Rhys Gadbois, close friend and colleague, first met her as a shy and quiet college student. He was “not expecting much, she’s a kid, she’s really nervous it seemed like, but once you actually begin to work with her, you realize the gold mine that she is.”
In her work, she puts great emphasis on allowing kids to experience God for themselves. She is “very passionate about creating everything in a way that’s going to be a place of encounter for students.”
She cares deeply about those she teaches and takes immense joy in seeing students encounter the Lord.
Since she has joined the team, the campus ministry has improved exponentially, with an astounding number of peer ministers, many new retreat opportunities, and sacraments offered weekly.
Mr. Gadbois said, “When I was in my first year of teaching, I feel like there weren’t a lot of wins, but with [Ms. Smith], there were a lot of wins her first year, and I think that’s because she’s just really good at her job.”
School Chaplain Father Zach Watson described Ms. Smith as “determined,” and this is shown through all that she carries on her plate.
Ms. Smith is currently working on her master’s degree at one of the most notable Catholic colleges in the country: Franciscan University of Steubenville.
She is studying Catechetics and Evangelization, which she simplified as “the process of how we are passing on the faith to better form others.”
This comes with hours and hours of studying and homework, but even with all the energy she puts into both teaching and school, she never fails to prioritize the important relationships in her life.
“If I’m not here working or if I’m not doing homework for school, I’m with my friends,” she said
Her affection for those around her extends even to her colleagues.
“One word to describe Ms. Smith would be ‘Motherly,’” Mr. Gadbois recounted as he has worked alongside her for the past year. “She’s the youngest one in our group but she’s very motherly.”
She leaves an impression on everyone she meets and is truly one of the most important people working behind the scenes to keep the faith life at JC rich and accessible.
After reflecting on his time here at JC with Ms. Smith, Mr. Gadbois said, “Working with her is probably one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had in my career.”
Ms. Smith has had a profound impact on JC’s Catholic identity. Humble, Christ-centered, and always smiling, she is a light to the community and bears witness to the love of the Lord.