January 29th, 2016

The entire Bridgeport Community wishes to extend a huge congratulations to Mrs. Smith on a wonderful career in education since 1978. As Mrs. Smith transitions to a well-deserved retirement, it’s important to highlight the spectacular work she did with children every single day. Mrs. Smith was an ‘out of the box’ type innovative teacher who not only inspired students within the walls of her classroom, but also stretched student learning into the natural environment around them during her time teaching at the Outdoor Education Centre. Mrs. Smith brought this passion of outdoor learning to Bridgeport and was instrumental in developing and launching Forest School. Forest School has evolved to a regular part of student learning where students regularly walk through Bechtel Park and engage in several hands-on, visual, and auditory type learning opportunities that have direct connection to curriculum. Inspiring her students to not only learn from the natural environment around them, but to understand nature’s delicate balance and how to respect that has been a key focus in Forest School. Mrs. Smith, it has been an extreme pleasure working alongside you and having you as such an integral part of the Bridgeport Team! Thank for your dedication and for always putting the care and well-being of children at the forefront of the work you did every day. Enjoy your retirement!