NHS Staff: Cindy Smith, First Grade Case Manager

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Started at North Hampton School: 1999

Getting to know Mrs. Smith:

Co-chairing the PAL Volunteer committee, substituting, and finally, chairing the Jaguar Jungle design, fundraising and installation was not enough North Hampton School for me! So, I began full-time teaching in 1999 and became certified in early childhood special education. Prior to my teaching career, I worked as an occupational therapist/certified hand therapist for 18 years in Texas, Connecticut, Massachusetts and right here in Portsmouth. Nighttime guest lecturing at Mass General to very tired college students taught me the skills needed to keep a class AWAKE!!!  Believe it or not, maintaining a first grader’s attention is more challenging!

I am very excited for 2011-12 at North Hampton School. I graduated to first grade in 2009 after ten wonderful years in kindergarten. This year will be my third year as the first grade Special Education Case Manager, and I look forward to working with my new team, Laura Nolan, Tana Gustufson, and Kathy Northrop.

When not at school, I can be found designing interiors (another passion), gardening, or walking the beach with my husband, Ben, of 28 years. I have 2 children, a boy and a girl. Matthew is 24, an avid baseball player and a graduate of Yale University with a degree in biomedical engineering.  He became engaged this summer and is living in Philly doing research at UPENN, preparing for med school. Samantha is 18, an avid violinist, tennis and field hockey player. She’s off to Northeastern’s Bouve College of Medicine.  I’m trying not to think about being an “empty-nester”. And, I cannot fail to mention my newest addition, Oscar, age 1, my big, cuddly, love-of-my-life, Old English Sheepdog!