Tammy Smith, a Kalama Life Skills teacher who is part of the ESD 112 ESA team, was recognized for her outstanding teaching by the Kalama Chamber of Commerce this spring. Her family and colleagues came out to see her receive the Educator of the Year award at the March 23 celebration.

Smith is a teacher who is firmly embedded in the small community that she serves, and her commitment to her students goes above and beyond. Last fall she and a colleague even took their Life Skills students on the road to see their football team win the State 2B Championships at the Tacoma Dome. (Read more here.)

“We who know and work with Tammy cannot think of a more deserving champion for educational excellence,” says Jeffrey Niess, Executive Director of Specialized Student Services at ESD 112, “Tammy is a well-respected and sought-after colleague among her peers, and an outstanding advocate for students with exceptional needs. Congratulations, Tammy, on a well-earned and most deserved award.”

Tammy Smith was recognized by the Kalama Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, March 23, pictured here with her Kalama ESA colleagues Rachel Schlangen (left) and Sara Cameron (right).