Hi! My name is Kristen Smith and I am the Building Literacy Expert here at Lawton Elementary School.

This is my twelfth year in education and my first full year in AAPS.   I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Northeastern Illinois University.  I began my teaching career in 2007 in Chicago, Illinois where I taught for nine years in a variety of elementary grade levels. During my time in Chicago, I pursued my passion for teaching reading and served as a mentor teacher, instructional team leader, and led a variety of study groups and professional development for other educators.  Upon moving back to Ann Arbor in 2016, I worked as a literacy coach in Dearborn.

I could not be more thrilled to join the tremendous community at Lawton this year as the BLE.  I look forward to working with both students and staff as we continue to learn and grow in our reading and writing knowledge.  When I am not at school, I love to travel with my husband, run, read, work in my garden, walk my dog, cheer on the Wolverines, and spend time with family and friends.