Whitnall High School’s Cody Smith wins new biology teacher award – Greenfield-West Allis Now

Whitnall High School biology teacher Cody Smith wearing a Bill Nye the Science Guy shirt that reads, "I'ts not magic, it's science!"(Photo: Submitted)

GREENFIELD - WhitnallHigh School biology teacher Cody Smith was awarded the FrankZuernerNew Teacher Scholarship, sponsored by the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers Foundation in recognition of having "extraordinary potential for working with and serving students" in just his second year of teaching.

"I nominatedCodySmithfor this award because he is not just an excellent teacher; he is an inspiring teacher," said fellow Whitnall science teacher Jessica Doyle, who nominated Smith"Students leave his classes wanting to learn more and looking forward to science. He makes students feel that they are welcome, capable, and important."

Smith began working at Whitnall two-years ago, after graduating fromCarrollUniversity in 2015. He student taught at Whitnallhis senior year and was hired full-time at the end of the semester. Smith now teaches honors and advanced placement biology.

Originally thinking that he would graduate to become a doctor when he started college, Smith soonrealizedhis calling lay somewhere else.

"I was still extremely passionate about science and did not want to change my focus entirely," he said. "I have always wanted to give backand work with people, so teaching was a natural fit.

"I am able to spread my love of scienceand work withpeople. WhenI took my first few education classesand completed my first field placement, I knew I had some natural talent and was passionate about this profession.

"I told myself I may not be to a doctor, but I might inspire someone to be."

Though it may be a bit early in his career to see his students become doctors, Smith says he loves the "lightbulb" moments in teaching, where students finally grasp a concept.

"I also love being humbled by what my students can accomplish. I try and teach science from a creative lab/project perspective, and seeing what my students can accomplish and the work that they do really surprises me on a dailybasis," Smith said.

In addition to teaching biology, Smith coaches varsity football and wrestling at Whitnall, is a member of the school forest task forceand serves as a co-advisor for the science club, which just started this school year.

"Our department and students are exceedingly excited to see where the future takes him," Doyle said. "To say he is deserving of this award would be an understatement."

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Whitnall High School's Cody Smith wins new biology teacher award - Greenfield-West Allis Now