Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders art teacher Matt Smith will be celebrated in July by Honored, a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating teachers, after being named organization's June 2017 national honoree.
Smith was selected from teachers at public, charter and private schools throughout the United States.
According to the origanization, he was chosen largely because of his innovative instruction, which has driven an expansion of the Ann Richards art program to collaborate with the STEM courses by using the campus' Makerspace.
The Makersspace offers students tools from paintbrushes to 3D printers. Along with the award, Smith earned a $5,000 cash prize.
Ann Richards Sophomore Milah Williams said Smith's lessons have transcended subjects as she uses art concepts in her math and physics classes.
"Art is there through everything," she said. "It's all tied in."
The Honored award is focused on Smith's effect on one single student and celebrates education that happens one student at a time. In Smith's case, that student is Williams, who said her academic trajectory has been transformed by his teaching.
.