3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Kenneth Nysmith, Head of School, from the Nysmith School for the Gifted

Kenneth Nysmith explains where his interest in education originated and talks about some of the more popular extra-circular activities the Nysmith School for the Gifted offers.

Patch: What is your school best known for?

Ken: The Nysmith School is known for making school fun, diversifying the reading and math levels up to 4 grade levels above grade, and it’s STEM program.

Patch: What’s the best item in your cafeteria?

Ken: I think the best meal we serve is actually our Shepard’s Pie. I admit, it does not look that good, but tastes exceptional

Patch: How did you get into teaching or education?

Ken: Nysmith is a family owned and operated private school. I grew up about teachers, and enjoy working with children in a happy environment.

What is your favorite event at the school?

Ken: My favorite event is probably Halloween. Excitement is always in the air at Nysmith, but add in the children and teachers in costume, and you have magic. I must admit, I love my job. There are very few days that I do not look forward to coming to school.

Patch: What was the best advice a teacher ever gave to you and do you remember the grade/subject he or she taught?

Ken: I really do not recall which of my many wonderful teachers gave me the advice, but the advice was to always try my best and not to compare myself to other children.

Patch: What advice would you give others in your position?

Ken: Have fun, encourage others to try their best and enjoy the adventure. Everyone has good in them, the more you look for the good, the more good you will see it them. Begin the positive cycle.

Patch: What’s the school’s teaching philosophy?

Ken: Nysmith believes in minimizing repetition, both in the classroom as well as homework. We work hard to make school fun for the children.

Patch: What are some of the more popular extra-circular activities?

Ken: I think our bouldering club is one of the most popular after school clubs. We have about 55 clubs each week, so there is a lot of variety.

Patch: What makes The Nysmith School standout?

Ken: Nysmith has received a lot of recognition over the last two years. Last year as One of the Top 10 Schools in the World in 2015 by Johns Hopkins University Center for Talent Youth. In 2014 with the Tommy Award by TJ for the “Disproportionate” achievement of Nysmith graduates at TJ

Patch: How can readers contact the school or learn more?

Ken: We have a lot of information on our website www.nysmith.com, we have tours every day as well.