News @ the 112

ESD 112 is excited to announce that Tammy Smith, a special education teacher and department chair at Kelso High School, has been named the 2027 Regional Teacher of the Year. Smith’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, student advocacy and meaningful learning opportunities has transformed the educational experiences of students with disabilities and strengthened connections among Kelso students, families, schools and the community.

Kelso High School’s Tammy Smith named 2027 Regional Teacher of the Year by ESD 112

“Tammy’s leadership is rooted in a steadfast belief that every student can succeed when given the opportunity, support, and sense of belonging they deserve,” said Mary Beth Tack, superintendent of the Kelso School District. “She has transformed outcomes for students with disabilities and inspired educators across our district to embrace inclusion as both a practice and a promise.”

Smith has dedicated her career to ensuring that all students have access to rigorous, engaging learning experiences and opportunities to belong. As a special education teacher at Kelso High School, she creates inclusive classrooms where students of all abilities develop academic skills, confidence, and independence.

Her impact extends well beyond her classroom. Smith serves as a leader in Unified Sports and Special Olympics programming, helping create opportunities for students with and without disabilities to learn, compete and build relationships together. Her leadership has expanded inclusive programming throughout Southwest Washington and helped pave the way for Kelso students to represent Washington at the 2026 National Special Olympics.

“Tammy Smith exemplifies the spirit of the Teacher of the Year program,” said Effie Triol, regional literacy coordinator at ESD 112. “Her innovative approach to inclusive education and unwavering advocacy for students have created opportunities for learning, belonging, and leadership that extend far beyond her classroom.”

Smith is also the driving force behind the annual No Limits Track Meet, an inclusive event celebrating students with disabilities from schools across the Lower Columbia region. What began as a local effort has grown into a signature event that draws hundreds of student-athletes from dozens of schools each year. The event offers students opportunities to showcase their abilities, build confidence, and experience the joy of competition in a supportive environment.

At Kelso High School, Smith is recognized as a collaborative leader and mentor. As the special education department chair, she has helped strengthen professional learning communities, support emerging teacher leaders, and advance inclusive practices that expand access to general education settings for students receiving special education services.

“Tammy is one of the most student-centered educators I have ever worked with,” said Lacey DeWeert, principal of Kelso High School. “Her leadership has strengthened our special education department, expanded inclusive opportunities across our campus, and positively impacted our school’s culture.”

Smith’s instructional approach reflects her belief that all students can engage in meaningful, rigorous learning when provided the right supports. In one signature literacy unit, she adapts classic literature such as Frankenstein into multiple reading levels while preserving core themes and learning objectives. Through Universal Design for Learning strategies, social-emotional learning and differentiated instruction, students with a wide range of abilities engage deeply with content, build literacy skills and develop their own voices.

Beyond academics, Smith helps connect students and families with resources that support success after graduation. She created the “Bridging the Gap” transition services event, which brings together local agencies, families and students to explore employment, independent living and postsecondary opportunities. She also provides authentic, community-based learning experiences through programs such as the Teacher Treat Cart, where students develop job, communication and leadership skills while interacting with staff and peers.

For many families, Smith’s impact is deeply personal.

“Tammy has gone above and beyond in this category and has always treated [my daughter] as one of her own kids,” wrote one parent whose daughter has been in Smith’s classroom for five years. “She holds a special place in her heart and will always be family.”

Colleagues and families alike describe Smith as an educator who leads with compassion, determination, and a relentless belief in what students can achieve. Her work has improved outcomes for students with disabilities, including graduation rates that exceed the state average, while creating school cultures in which inclusion is not simply a program but a shared value.

“Growth doesn’t always look like a test score,” Smith wrote in her Teacher of the Year application. “Sometimes growth means a student raising their hand for the first time, asking for help instead of shutting down, or finding the confidence to participate alongside their peers. That kind of growth requires us to believe in students before they believe in themselves.”

As the Regional Teacher of the Year, Smith will participate in statewide leadership opportunities and professional development through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She will receive a commemorative plaque at an upcoming ESD 112 board meeting and advance to the statewide selection process for Washington State Teacher of the Year, with the announcement to follow later this year.

To learn more about the Teacher of the Year program, visit OSPI’s website.