Biography

Tracy Smith taught eighth grade science for 32 years. She recently retired (2021), after spending 23 years teaching 8th Grade Physical Science at Bak Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tracy’s inquiry-based learning environment fostered discovery, amazement, and divergent thinking. Providing students with stimulating research, real-world knowledge, and innovative, hands-on activities afforded them the opportunity for real-world application and development of higher order thinking skills. Her positive influence as a female scientist had an impact on her female students’ success in district and state science competitions, advanced high school programs, and science career choices. A parent said in her Presidential Award nominating letter, “She truly has a gift, and we are so privileged that she has chosen to share it with our children.” Tracy believes leadership is vital for the success of science education in her community. She has shared her teaching pedagogy at conferences and universities. Her leadership in Common Core, professional development, and science department committees has provided teacher motivation for successful science education across the county. Tracy has remained active in the PAEMST community, as a Florida PAEMST applicant reviewer and currently serves as the Florida PAEMST Alumni Representative. Tracy earned a B.S. in health science education from the University of Florida. She received National Board Certification in early adolescent science in 2002. Tracy has received the 2014 William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education (Palm Beach County), 2006 FAST Middle School Science Teacher of the Year, and the 2005 Palm Beach County Science Educators Association Middle School Science Teacher of the Year.