“Ms. Smith is the smartest person in the entire world. Trust us. It’s true. She knows how to make us think not only outside the box but really outside of ourselves. She makes us want to be better learners and become better people.”
So reads the 2019 yearbook dedication to Upper School English Teacher Kenley Smith.
Upon entering her classroom, students are welcomed with a smile and a “question-of-the-day” prompt to answer in their journals. Following this reflective start, Smith either leads them through a detailed reading session or observes a lively Harkness discussion.
Smith earned her B.A. from Union College and her M.A. from the Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English. Although her teaching career has been exclusively in independent schools, she is also certified to teach high school English in Massachusetts public schools.
Here, she is a valued member of the Humanities Department, teaching American Literature, Senior English, and AP English Literature.
Students under her guidance express a deep appreciation for her and her classes.
“My favorite thing is the culture of kindness and empathy that the school has, that really is maintained by the students,” Smith said. “I think the faculty likes it to be kind and compassionate as well, but the students sort of keep an eye on each other and make sure that no matter who the person is, where they come from, or who their friends are, everybody is treated with respect and kindness.”
Giulia Laurenza ’25, one of her advisees, shared her positive experiences.
“She is always available to talk about anything and everything,” Laurenza said. “She makes sure to keep everyone up to date and informed about school events or impart deadlines. I love how supportive she is and always encourages me to follow my passions and prioritize my mental; health.”
English Department Chair Donald Reese also enjoys collaborating with Smith, particularly when planning elective classes.
“Our discussions about books and themes are always extensive and engaging, thanks to her wide reading and insightful observations,” Reese said.
Reese also highlighted Smith’s extensive literary knowledge as one of her standout qualities, a sentiment echoed by Tess Gainsboro ’25.
“The selection of books for this year’s Villains class has been exceptionally engaging, making each reading and analysis session something I look forward to,” Gainsboro said.
Beyond her professional life, Smith is passionate about traveling, hiking, and exploring museums and art galleries. She has also completed a hike of the Appalachian Trail, which is approximately 2,200 miles long.
“We began our journey in early March and concluded in August, just before I embarked on my first teaching position,” Smith said. “The most significant insight is that it isn’t a six-month hike; it’s a series of one-day hikes strung together over six months. This experience taught me patience, a skill that has been invaluable both in teaching and in life.”
