LITERACY

Continued From Page 5 modules every grade level has a different focus that aligns with our science and social studies standards.”

Everything will revolve around a topic. As an example, endangered species. There will be core text around endangered species as

Kendal Smith Advantage Alternative School Principal 20 years at Hazel Park Schools

Kendal Smith Advantage

Alternative School principal

he became a registered Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) official.

In 2000, he started officiating college basketball. Four years later he began officiating college football and now you can see Smith working on some of the biggest stages in the sport.

added. “You have to have a special personality. You have to be able to believe you’re right above all else when the time comes. You have to stand up for what you believe in when you know you’re right and when you know you’re wrong you have to be able to take the heat and eat some humble pie.”

Smith’s father had a huge influence on him becoming an official while his mother was his inspiration to get into education.

Smith has been very innovative when it comes to trying to deter behavioral issues. He’s had parents come in to sit with their students for an entire day in order to return from suspension and he’s had students do reflective journaling as a way to get the students to understand their behaviors.

“Some of these kids you see for three or four years and you see them mature over time,” Smith said. “It’s seeing that light turn on for them. That’s what I appreciate the most.”

Smith began officiating when he was just 17 years old, working baseball games in the Detroit Police Athletic League. A year later

In 2015, he worked an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national semifinal. In 2019, he worked the Mid-American Conference Championship.

In 2021, he received his first bowl game assignment – the Frisco Bowl.

“Initially I said I would be disappointed if I didn’t get a bowl game but I decided there’s no point in being disappointed because the only person that impacts is me,” Smith said. “If I didn’t get one I would just need to work harder.

“I was elated when I got the call,” Smith continued. “It just shows that hard work and dedication pays off.” you learn about reading and writing. Then all off the books focused on that topic at all different reading levels. No matter where you’re at, if there is a research question and you’re not at the same reading level as others there are books in the classroom for you.

“The reading atmosphere at our school has drastically changed since implementing this program,” said Erika Resh, Literacy coach at Hazel Park Schools. “We read everywhere. Kids are excited about reading. The two most important pieces are the amount of time that students spend reading and the conferencing that takes place between teachers and students.

“Struggling readers are expe- riencing success since they were able to self-select books at their ‘just right’ level,” she added. “The embedded incentive component encourages our students to want to read more and move levels. It is so exciting to hear students discuss books. They are actually recommending book titles to each other.”