17 years ago, math teacher Lindsey Smith started her cross country journey with no coaching experience. Smith got inspired to coach from former head Cross country coach Dan Conway. Smith showed how she can persevere through the challenge of being both a teacher and a coach while still giving encouragement to all her students and athletes. 

Her first year of being a teacher she was thankful to have the job, so she declined the offer of becoming a coach the first couple of years. A few years later, Conway offered her a position as a cross-country coach. Dane Conway was the person who taught Smith how to coach cross country. With that, the kids also were a great role model towards Smith. 

At first, she was hesitant with accepting the position, she had no experience with cross country and all she knew is the sport involved running. In high school she participated in playing Volleyball and Basketball. She didn’t want anything to do with cross country before she got offered the opportunity of being a cross-country coach. With that, the athletes made her feel welcomed when she decided to take the role of being a coach.

 “The experience of being able to not just teach, but also coach was something that I was super excited to have the experience and take that opportunity,” Smith said.

As a coach she was determined. She supported her athletes every step of the way even with having no experience with the sport. 

While officially being certified as a cross-country coach, she also had to take the position of being a teacher. At first, she wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She then decided that she wanted to teach beyond the basics and evolve with her math knowledge. 

“I don’t want to know a little bit about every subject, I want to focus more on math,” Smith said.  

After, she changed her minor to a major in math and started her journey as a hardworking math teacher. When having the experience of being a student teacher at the middle school, Smith wanted to teach people that controlled their behavior and were already aware of the factors of math.  That is why she made the decision to come to the high school. 

Some challenges that she faces when becoming both a teacher and a coach is, her last period classes don’t get her attention when it comes to a cross-country meet. When arriving home from an away meet, she is exhausted and usually does not have any time to prepare for the next day’s lesson. What’s not convenient about that is the lesson will change, and it will not be as efficient.

“The poor end of the day classes don’t get the same teaching as the first class,” said Smith. 

She likes to teach equally and have everyone have the same learning experience as all the other students, but it’s difficult when she has to travel to away games. All in all, Smith perseveres and ends up having an amazing connection with both her cross country athletes and her Algebra students. 

She loves to inspire her kids to always succeed and do what’s best for them. When coming to the high school, it’s more than a fresh school, it’s a fresh start. 

“When I see that light bulb moment from kids where they’re like, oh my gosh, I didn’t get this last year, but now I get it ; it’s the greatest feeling,” Smith said. 

The staff, administrators, and friends will welcome you with open arms, they will be supportive, and always be there when you need a helpful hand. 

High school has amazing sports that create an equally amazing atmosphere. You will create a strong bond with your teammates, and always have them by your side where you need support. They will cheer for you, and always be hype when you cross the finish line.

“You are not battling each other to be on the starting lineup, you’re not battling each other to be better than them; it’s like a personal record type of battle,” Smith said.

Smith inspires the cross-country team to be resilient. Even though she is a hardworking teacher, she still finds a way to create such a happy atmosphere for both her students, and her cross-country athletes. She dedicates her time and effort towards the school and team even when it is challenging to prepare for both positions.

Senior Elana Almonte has a deep connection with Smith, as she has had her for a coach since the beginning of high school. 

“Coach Smith is one of the most bubbly people I know. She is spunky and brings so much life to the cross country team, I can’t imagine our team without her,” Almonte said.

From the start, Smith was kind and confident with her athletes; she taught them, while they taught her. This has created a strong bond, and there is nothing that can compare to that experience for Almonte and Smith.