Al’s NHA journey began as a parent. His children were part of Excel Charter Academy’s very first class, and Al started out as a substitute teacher that same year. The following year, he stepped into a full-time role teaching sixth grade.
“Angie Spears and I both taught sixth grade for two years,” Al recalls. “When we expanded to a full middle school, I moved into seventh and eighth grade science, and I stayed there until I retired last year.”
From science fairs to rock collections and hands-on experiments, Al made learning fun. For 28 years, Al also coached Science Olympiad, a national competition with more than 20 events across every science discipline.
“We never quite made it past regionals, our region was one of the largest in the country, but we came close, finishing as high as 11th out of 42 teams,” he shared proudly. “It was always a great experience for students.”
Beyond the Classroom
Some of Al’s fondest memories aren’t just from teaching, but from the traditions and activities that built community at Excel. He organized the eighth-grade class trip to Mackinac Island each year, giving students a chance to learn and bond outside the classroom.And when he announced his retirement, his students gave him a sendoff to remember: Mr. Smith Day.
“They had multiple people dress up like me,” Al laughed. “And since I keep a bird clock that chirps every hour, a different student would make a bird call each hour of the day. It was a lot of fun.”
Why He Stayed With NHA
In nearly 30 years of teaching, Al could have pursued other opportunities, but he chose to stay with NHA.“I’ve always had great teammates, and many of them became lifelong friends. The kids were always fun, and that made it a place where I wanted to stay.”
Legacy and Advice
His advice for the next generation of teachers is simple: “Take time to enjoy the kids. Yes, you need to focus on curriculum and benchmarks, but those relationships are what last. Years from now, students won’t always remember the lessons, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.”
Looking Ahead
Although officially retired, Al hasn’t stepped too far away. He still substitutes at Excel when needed, just enough to keep a hand in the work he loves, without the early mornings every day. And he has new adventures planned. “I want to do more traveling, especially to national parks,” he said. “I’m looking forward to going when everyone else isn’t on school break for once.”When asked how it feels to be part of NHA’s 30-year legacy, Al chuckled: “Old! But proud. It’s gone by fast.”
Thank you, Al Smith, for 28 years of teaching, coaching, and inspiring students!
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About Excel Charter Academy
Excel Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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