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Patricia Smith
I was adopted from Costa Rica at the age of 3 and I grew up in Central Oregon. Both of my parents worked in public service and I grew up watching them help others in our community.
Pursuing a career in public service has given me the chance to connect with people and cultures who I didn't know a lot about. I have worked in a public library and in public health, and I served in the United States Peace Corps.
During my Peace Corps service, I served in Cambodia for 2.5 years. It was during my Peace Corps service where I truly realized that building strong relationships with communities and your counterparts is the strongest way to make a difference. After my Peace Corps service in Cambodia, I went to New Jersey and New York City and worked with FEMA to educate people about COVID-19 vaccines. I met people from a variety of religions and ethnic backgrounds and I learned the importance of talking to people on the street and taking the time to listen to their story, as opposed to passing them by and believing stereotypes.
The more Americans can learn about their own country and their own neighbors, the more we are able to come together, communicate and support each other with respect. Today I am a kindergarten teacher. I try to expose students to new experiences through hands-on activities or through stories from my travels or from my own life. In my classroom, I have tools from my family’s farm, a rattlesnake skin, and an old metal fire helmet that belonged to my dad. I love watching students pick up the items, try to figure them out, and then ask questions about them. My hope for my students is that they aren't afraid to try something new and they continue to ask questions and explore the world around them.
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