Clarke Central High School scheduler and instructional math coach Summer Smith (left) sits with math department teacher Tamika Hubbard (right) before school on March 28 to work out a math problem together. Smith finds joy in the different aspects of her jobs, although they occupy much of her time. “The pressure of having to get those schedules out, the pressure that gets turned on once school is out is really intense because there’s nobody else that can do it. I’ve got to do it or else we have no schedule and if we have no schedule, could you imagine what a disaster (that would be)?” Smith said. Photo by Gretchen Hinger
The ODYSSEY Media Group will provide viewers with stylized profiles that center on people in the Athens community telling their own stories.
Clarke Central High School scheduler and instructional math coach Summer Smith enjoys the challenge of creating a schedule for students at CCHS.
Tucked away in a small side office, nestled between math classrooms, one can usually find Clarke Central High School scheduler and instructional math coach Summer Smith working diligently to meet the needs of the CCHS student body and faculty.
While 1,800 students at CCHS are enjoying their summer, Smith will spend most of her break creating schedules for all of these students as the upcoming school year rapidly approaches.
The weight of the forthcoming schedule puts immense pressure on Smith. She is one of the unlucky few who has the task of pleasing everyone she serves.
But, through all the stress, Smith finds joy in her job with her passion for supporting students shining through. Her two roles as an instructional math coach and scheduler combine to help Smith fulfill her love for helping students.
“(Students) will still find their way (to my office) for whatever reason, and I’ll get connected to a kid and kind of track with them throughout (high school),” Smith said. “I really enjoy being able to be helpful, whether it’s through math or a kid’s got some crazy schedule. I miss teaching students, (but) I love working with teachers.”
As a former middle and high school math teacher, Smith saw students every day, but in her current position, she only sees a select amount of students.
Although she values teaching and supporting students in the classroom, to Smith, working to create the best schedule for students is an exercise that pushes her and allows her to grow.
“Scheduling is like a big brain exercise, it’s like a big puzzle, and that is fun, (but) it’s also time-consuming. And I do enjoy trying to make the best schedule that I can so that students and teachers are both happy,” Smith said.
