Last Friday, Lake Orion High School’s Dragon Broadcasting Program put the final touches on their work for the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association’s upcoming awards conference.
Advisor Roger Smith wasn’t expecting such a quick response.
So, maybe it wasn’t a MIPA award, but his students were thrilled nonetheless, as Smith was given the title of LOHS Teacher of the Year.
The official announcement was made at a staff meeting on Feb. 21, attended also by Smith’s wife, Kristina, mother, Fran, and mentor Brett Saunders.
‘When I was a junior here, we kind of joked about how I’d come back and take over his job,? Smith said.
‘I’m really proud of this guy and what he’s done for this program,? Saunders said. ‘Many districts base what they do on what we’ve done here.?
Students, parents and colleagues all wrote letters in support of Smith, who will be Lake Orion’s representative at the county level.
‘His compassion for what he does rubs off on the people that surround him and they end up doing whatever they can to make him proud,? one student wrote.
‘The drive, dedication and ambition he has to make the department and his students better is inescapable, and I know it will continue to shine in the future.?
Smith, a 1994 LOHS graduate, moved to Orion when he was just four years old.
He was planning on a career in broadcasting, until his work with the Pistons and Vipers at the Palace Television Network turned him off a bit.
So, he instead attended Michigan State and earned a degree in mathematics, with the intention of teaching either math or broadcast arts (noting that such a specialized degree was not common at that time).
After student teaching at Mason High School with Steve Warnaar, whom Smith keeps in touch with and gives a great deal of credit to, Smith returned to Lake Orion as a math teacher.
‘Lake Orion is the only school I would’ve come back to in Oakland County,? he said.
When Saunders retired from teaching a year later, Smith was the natural progression.
The two even taught together for a month in 2002.
‘That month could be the most fun I’ve ever had teaching,? Saunders recalled.
Smith said the move was a no-brainer.
‘Knowing how great the program was here was a very appealing factor,? he a.
Since taking over the program, Saunders said a good program has become a great one.
Last year, the Dragon Broadcasting Program won a Spartan award, the top honor given by MIPA.
‘My philosophy is not for us to win these awards,? Smith said. ‘But we already do these great things anyway and I like to try to get the students some recognition.?
‘It serves as a motivational tool,? he added. ‘But I hate seeing kids that work really hard not get rewarded.?
Smith said much of his credit belongs to his students, noting that broadcasting is different from typical high school classes.
‘With this sort of class, you’re on your own,? he said.
Smith, who also serves as the public address announcer for football and basketball at LOHS, completed his Master’s Degree at MSU three years ago.
A quote from his final instructor Jan Alleman hangs on the wall in his office.
‘Don’t worry about everything else; just worry about being Teacher of the Year,? the sign reads.
‘I didn’t take it literally,? Smith said, noting the point was simply not to ‘sweat the small stuff.?
‘It’s about being the best teacher you can be,? he said.