Supporting students is important to us at Innovations Academy (IA) a tuition-free public charter school in San Diego serving K-8th grades. We do this by knowing every student by name, fostering independence, and making sure everyone gets the education they need which is where our Director of Special Education, Ms. Lisa Smith comes in. Lisa has had many roles at our small school and our students benefit from all of them. Here she shares her love and passion for IA’s community.
Please tell us about your background and how you found Innovations Academy.
I came to Innovations Academy 11 years ago and I was a teacher assistant for a first grade classroom. From there I really enjoyed working in special education and supporting students in their 504s or IEPs. I became the 504 Coordinator and created a system for students who need 504s and I also created the Student Success Team protocols for students who need more support. Soon after, I went back to school and became an education specialist and earned my masters degree in special education. I also became a certified dyslexia therapist and I am Lindamood-Bell trained in 3 different components and assessments.
What is your role at Innovations Academy?
Director of Special Education- the best part of my job is supporting students and their families as they navigate the special education process. I really love seeing the students make progress in their education journey. I also enjoy creating structures to make our special education department even better.
What do you LOVE about Innovations Academy? What sets it apart from other schools?
I love the small school population and being able to meet so many students and their families. I love to see students who learn through the process of collaboration and where that takes them when they graduate and go off to high school.
Tell us about some of the programs you’ve helped with and/or created for Innovations Academy.
- 504 program
- Student Success team
- Scheduling process for special education
What are some events you enjoy at Innovations Academy?
I have tutored students in the past over the summer for reading and one of the events that I really enjoy is Exhibition Night when the students present what they have learned.
How do you help students powerfully create their lives?
I help them by creating a strong special education department where students feel that they have relationships with the whole IEP team. I also feel that I help students in achieving their goals.
There are great social emotional learning activities and opportunities at Innovations Academy. How is this reflected in your teaching?
One of things that I really love about our social/emotional learning is when the older students take the time to show the little ones how to check in with peers or see them in action using all their strategies that they learned when they were younger.
What does a day in your school life look like?
I meet with staff before school or there might be an IEP meeting. I then move on to observations of TAs/students. I work with a few students who need additional reading remediation. I will help education specialists assess students for evaluations or reevaluations for special education. A good chunk of my day is spent on paperwork to keep the school in compliance with federal guidelines under IDEA. Afternoons are filled with IEP meetings. I then get caught up on different things that need to be done.
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Mrs. Marquez was my favorite teacher because she was kind, fun and she made learning so much fun. She knew all of us! She helped push me into really having choir be part of my education.
What’s one thing you own that you should really get rid of?
Paperwork.
Fun Facts About Lisa:
- I am a water lover! I love swimming in a pool or at the beach. I love doing water aerobics on the weekends and over the summer. I love the water because it is soothing and it really gives you time to focus on just you and those movements that you are doing in the water. I love the beach because of the sound of the waves and the salt air.
- I am a baker and I enjoy baking for family and friends to share my love with them.
- I love spending time with my children and this is the first year that I am not spending all my non-work time at sporting events for my youngest daughter. It has been an adjustment this past year as my oldest moved away to start her adult life as a local planner in Northern California. My youngest went over to college to start her pre-med education path.
- I have 3 dogs: Leo-12, Maisie-2, and Brinkley-2. They are all part labrador retrievers.
- I love living in San Diego and I love the 49ers!
You can find out more about Lisa and other teachers here on our website. Check out more about our small, tuition-free K-8 and enroll today!
About Innovations Academy:
Innovations Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in San Diego, California. Our small school values a hands-on, inquiry-based education with high academic standards using self-expression, compassionate connection, and purposeful learning. Our new modern campus is intentionally designed with curiosity and exploration in mind. Join our innovative school today! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Find us at innovationsacademy.org.