Children first: Thelma Smith was an educator first, foremost and always

If you ever met longtime Wayne County educator and Board of Education member Thelma Smith, you were left one very strong overwhelming feeling -- passion.

Mrs. Smith, whom we lost this weekend, loved Wayne County's children -- all of them -- like they were her own. And her service on the board was dedicated to making sure each and every one of them received the education they deserved.

That mission began as an educator. Mrs. Smith devoted more than 33 years of her life to the classroom, introducing generations to the joy of learning and the possibilities it could bring to their lives.

After retirement, recognizing that she still had something to give, Mrs. Smith returned to Goldsboro High School as a counselor, helping to guide even more young people through the maze of their teenage years.

And then, Mrs. Smith decided to take on an even bigger task as a member of the Wayne County Board of Education, and in 2008, as its leader.

That job wasn't easy, but Mrs. Smith kept her colleagues focused on the mission at hand -- to get better facilities for Wayne County students and to offer opportunities for children of all walks of life and backgrounds.

And she even managed to build a bridge between the often-feuding county commission and the school board, leading many a discussion from what seemed like insurmountable impasse to a united group of leaders looking for a solution.

It was easy for her to make those compromises happen -- she understood the greater good that would result.

Because, as anyone who knew her could attest, Mrs. Smith put Wayne County's children first.

Just in the last couple of weeks, Mrs. Smith's long-held dream of advancing the school's facilities plan took a major step forward. Let's hope that in her final moments, she felt like she had something to do with that success, and that she understood just how important an achievement that was.

There are many people who are strong leaders. Some rule with an iron fist and some are demanding taskmasters.

Mrs. Smith led by example -- trying to be the person who brought people together, rather than the force that drove them apart.

And that is why she made such an impact on her community.

No human being is perfect and Mrs. Smith understood that she would have her failings and make her mistakes. And that is what made her special.

She was a regular person who was as comfortable with a room full of school officials as she was with a playground full of excited fourth-graders.

And she considered both groups of equal importance.

There will be another person who will serve District 3. That is how Mrs. Smith would have wanted it. After all, there is more work to be done.

But the new appointee will be hard-pressed to fill her shoes -- and would do well to remember what was most important to her.

Students, first, foremost and always, were Mrs. Smith's passion -- and her calling. She was their voice and their champion, and they were lucky to have her.

She will be missed.

Published in Editorials on March 1, 2014 11:41 PM