A 1986 KO graduate, Andy started teaching at KO in 1991, a year after he graduated from Middlebury College, where he majored in history, minored in teacher education, and played four years of varsity soccer and one year of varsity basketball. He spent all his summers from junior year of high school through college working with 12–15 year-olds as a counselor and camp director at Camp Tohkomeupog in East Madison, New Hampshire. “It was this experience that made me realize that working with middle school-aged kids is the place to be,” he said. In addition to teaching history at the KO Middle School, he coaches the Middle School boys’ soccer and the boys’ varsity tennis teams. “Coming back to KO, where I have taught, coached, and advised for 26 years, has been wonderful,” he said. “It is also special to have my son, Sam ’22, attend KO.”

Mr. Smith establishes positive, healthy relationships with his students and his families and creates a welcoming classroom environment where students are not afraid to be themselves and take risks. At the same time, he instills high expectations from each student and pushes them to tap onto their true potential. With a background in teaching as well as a behavioral specialist, Smith is uniquely qualified to modify any lessons or plans to fit the needs of every student and collaborate with his peers to better engage his students. Smith is a KO graduate and has played semi-professional basketball.