As a high school math teacher and a basketball coach, Jacob Smith strives to be a steady rock in his students’ and players’ lives, while teaching everyone that hard work pays off.

Smith is a genuine person. He tries to help his students in any way possible, always wishing for the best of them. He has a personal vibe that lights up any room he’s in. He teaches his students in ways that are personal to the student, helping them understand the subject in their own way; a quality that is unique in today’s world. 

“I don’t believe you are a math person or you aren’t a math person; I know everyone can do it! I made [it] my goal to help kids believe in themselves and find success in math across all topics.” Smith said. 

Smith had been playing basketball his whole life. He worked hard to become the best player he could; eventually, he gained the chance to play college basketball. Once his playing career was over, he knew basketball would be a part of his life forever, prompting him to take the next step and become a coach to share his passion with the youth.

Smith played college basketball at the University of Superior Wisconsin (UWS). He came in as a freshman and started every game in his whole career and led his team in scoring. He was a Freshman All-American, All-Conference all 4 years, Player of the Year, Inducted into the UWS Hall of Fame, and became the school’s All-Time Leading Scorer, a record that hasn’t been broken in 50 years. Scoring a total of 1,910 points in his 4 year career.

“One thing is he taught me to work hard, he taught it through basketball but that will apply to every part of my life. He showed me that working hard has a reward,” Basketball player Olivia Lundquist said, “He showed me that if I truly worked hard I can go far.”

Smith knew he wanted to be a math teacher since he was in high school himself. He told me that he had inspiring math teachers during his middle school and high school years that became a role model for him, which made him want to do the same for his students one day. 

Smith has faith in his students to succeed, knowing as long as they put their minds to it, he will find any way possible to make learning as easy as possible.

“I hope someday they look back and I’ll always be a person they remember as being supportive, positive, and motivating,” Smith said, “I try to be the bright spot in their day every time they walk into my classroom.”