Studying for the SATs with Kristina Smith was probably the best thing I could have done in my high school life for several reasons. The first being, she has a unique teaching style. There are no drills or monotonous memorizing, but instead she implements the knowledge in an engaging manner whether it be through games, fieldtrips, or competition. Aside from just the innovative learning techniques, Mrs. Smith is a great mentor. As a child I had parents that were strict and closed minded. They did not acknowledge I had the aptitude to become something that I wanted or more. Mrs. Smith was a good liaison between parents because she had the maturity and experience as an adult. This didn't take away from her ability to empathize with her students either because she knew what was going through my and other students' minds as we were preparing to enter a much scarier world. She becomes more your friend than your teacher. Lastly, Mrs. Smith is selfless. You can tell how much effort she puts into letting a child know they are capable of success no matter their mindset coming into the sessions. She genuinely looks forward to the wellbeing and future of her students and becomes a valuable resource even after classes have ended. - Christopher L.