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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Augusta Smith, college prep teacher and librarian at Sequoyah Schools, was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).

Augusta Smith

Each year, student members of the NSHSS have the opportunity to nominate the educator who has made the most significant contribution to their academic career.  Smith was nominated by former student and Sequoyah alumna, Rebecca Steed.  The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award recognizes teacher role models who have made a lasting difference in their classroom by encouraging students to strive for excellence.

“Augusta Smith is an outstanding educator,” said Corey Bunch, Sequoyah Schools principal.  “She possesses all of the qualities that a school principal could ask for in a teacher.  She is dedicated to the success of all of her students and builds a strong rapport with them throughout their progression “Dedicated educators who exhibit a commitment to excellence deserve our highest praise and appreciation,” said James Lewis, NSHSS president.  “We’re excited to provide an ongoing means to do so, and we encourage our members to nominate teachers who have contributed to their academic success.”

Smith has been at Sequoyah Schools for the past three years and has served dual roles as college prep class teacher and librarian.  Her college prep classes have successfully produced 12 Gates Millennium Scholars since she joined the Sequoyah Schools’ faculty and the graduating class of 2008 collectively earned more than $2.5 million in scholarships.  Smith, of Tahlequah, is Creek and Seminole and is married to Mike Smith, a retired educator and current bus driver for Sequoyah Schools.

“I really appreciate her dedication and commitment towards her students, and I truly believe that without her many of our students would never get the opportunity for a higher education.  She begins by teaching the students the importance of a higher education and then pushes them relentlessly towards achieving that goal, and along the way the students will learn how to get into college, and also how to be successful once they arrive.  But one of the most important things that Mrs. Smith helps her students to accomplish is to acquire scholarship money to be able to attend a school once they’ve been accepted,” Bunch said.

Sequoyah Schools, a boarding school for Native American students, originated in 1871 as an orphan asylum to care for children who were orphaned by the Civil War.  Now known as Sequoyah Schools, it is named for Sequoyah, the scholar who developed the Cherokee syllabary. The school is regionally and state accredited for grades 7-12 and has become the school of choice for more than 400 Native American students every year.  Sequoyah Schools is located five miles southwest of Tahlequah, Okla.

For more information call (918) 453-5400 or visit the Sequoyah Schools’ Web site at http://sequoyah.cherokee.org .