Arcadia Unified School District Announces 2015-16 Teacher of the Year

By Jonathan Tsou

In May, Arcadia Unified School District’s Superintendent David Vannasdall announced that Bradley Smith had been selected to be Arcadia Unified School District’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year. Last week, he was officially honored by the Arcadia Rotary Club and received his plaque. The Arcadia Rotary Club is an organization of professional leaders who provides service and encourages high standards in all vocations. The Arcadia Rotary Club is located at the Arcadia-Pasadena Area Embassy Suites. Bradley Smith was also honored at last week’s Arcadia Unified Board of Education meeting with his family and friends.

The selection process for this award is a challenging task. Arcadia Unified School District has over four hundred committed teachers. Mr. Smith, as his students call him, was selected because he demonstrated an undeviating commitment to the District’s principles and has made a significant difference throughout the school.

Mr. Smith has been working as a teacher at Dana Middle School for 18 years. An eighth-grade math teacher, he has helped students become more involved in math. He is able to engage students and have students look at math in a different way. Mr. Smith forms a strong teacher-student relationship with every student and becomes a mentor to many of them. Mrs. Smith, Mr. Smith’s wife, is also a teacher at Dana Middle School. Astonishing, Mr. Smith is also an avid DJ player who often plays music at school events.

Jonathan Hsu, a former student of Mr. Smith’s, said that “Mr. Smith is a one–of–a-kind teacher who not only educates students about mathematics but also helps them develop into individuals with good morals. During my time in his class, I discovered so much more about my peers and myself as a student. His down-to-earth personality and passion for teaching easily make him one of the most admired teachers on campus.”

Mr. Smith will have his portrait placed in the Arcadia Education Center and his name will be placed on a plaque in Dana Middle School’s Office. Mr. Smith encapsulates what Arcadia teachers stand for and will represent the Arcadia Unified School District.

Congratulations to Mr. Smith on being the 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year!

See Mr. Smith being surprised with his award here!