Welcome to our Otter Family at Swimming Pen Creek Elementary!  Our theme this year is “Growing Our Knowledge”, and we will be kicking off the year with a school-wide book study of Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White to celebrate this farm theme.  Every family will receive a copy of this book with a variety of activities to do at home to encourage the love of reading!  In the Fall we are planning a family night with lots of engaging activities related to this precious story.

It is my privilege to serve our families as your principal.  I have been an educator in Clay County since 1996.  Creating a safe and nurturing environment where teachers and students can thrive as they work toward the high expectations of meeting the standards is top priority.  I recognize the importance of culture and will work diligently to foster and develop relationships and to keep the child at the center of all decision making.  

At SPC we provide a community where your child feels safe and connected in order for them to learn and grow.  Our team of educators are eager to do the work necessary to motivate and prepare our students to meet the expectations for higher education and lifelong learning.  

SPC offers unique learning opportunities for our students.  We offer a comprehensive kindergarten to sixth grade traditional approach that provides appropriately rigorous grade level instruction in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies using the adopted Clay County curricula.  Our Montessori School Choice program is designed to allow children, ages 3 year old to sixth grade, to develop their full potential, both socially and academically. Developed over 100 years ago, the Montessori approach is based on scientific observations of how children grow and develop. Some of the tenets of a Montessori program are; multiage groupings that foster peer learning, uninterrupted learning blocks, individualized & self-paced learning pathways, and teacher-guided student choice of work activity. Our resource team provides instruction in art, music, media and physical education.  Students are also afforded the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs and activities such as 4-H, chorus, track and safety patrol.

Our Otter Values set the standard for our community of learners at SPC.  1) We are peaceful. 2) We are responsible. 3) We are safe.  You will see and hear these core values as they are embedded in all aspects of our day to promote individual responsibility.  The adults are the safekeepers, and students help keep it that way.  This common language fosters a sense of unity across our campus.

The partnerships we have with our families and community is critical to our success.  We value the unconditional support that profoundly impacts our students’ education and development!  It truly takes a village, and we encourage you to join us in this endeavor so that we may provide the optimal educational experience for our children. 

It’s going to be another “otterly” amazing year at SPC!

Laura Smith is a passionate and dedicated educator who is SO excited for the opportunity to serve as Assistant Principal at Swimming Pen Creek! She enjoys serving our diverse community of learners at SPC and is passionate about the Montessori program. She is an alumnus of the University of North Florida. She also received her Masters in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.

After starting her teaching career in Duval County, she transferred to Clay County District Schools in 2016. At Grove Park Elementary she served as the AIMS teacher and Title I Interventionist. While at GPE, she coordinated the initial implementation of a schoolwide PBIS program, Growing Great Gators. She also supported novice teachers with instruction and classroom management and facilitated the MTSS process and ESE compliance.

After briefly serving as the Media Specialist at Charles E Bennett, she transitioned into the Assistant Principal role at CEB in 2019. While at CEB, she assisted in raising the school grade from a “D’ to a “C” during the global pandemic. She created a community mentoring program targeting LPQ students and championed student and family engagement. Mrs. Smith participated in Instructional Rounding for the District and State Bureau of School Improvement.

Laura has been married to her husband Mark for 10 years. She is actively involved at Chets Creek Church, where Mark serves as the Pastor of Adults and Discipleship. They are licensed foster parents and have adopted two children from the foster care system.  Elijah is in 2nd grade and Olivia is in Kindergarten.