Kem Smith

Background

About Kem Smith

Dr. Kem Smith is a veteran educator who is equally at home with the world of words as she is with the classroom. Smith has taken a position as an advice columnist with Chalkbeat, Inc, where she answers teachers' questions about the profession. She is writing a book titled The Practical Guide to Being an Extraordinary Educator. Smith is the author of both non-fiction and fiction and an avid blogger. In 2012, she released her debut title Sexy By The Weekend: A Practical Guide to Living an Extraordinary Life, encouraging readers to get their sexy back using seven practical keys for glamorous and exciting living. She is also the author of two other fiction novels and, most recently, a children's book. Life wasn't always pleasant for this veteran educator. Kem had to overcome being a single mom, a college dropout, and a job hopper and has obtained multiple college degrees; an undergraduate degree from Fontbonne University, a Master's degree in Education from Fontbonne University, and a Master's degree in Fine Arts from Lindenwood University. In 2022, she successfully defended her dissertation and earned a doctoral degree in higher education administration leadership from Northcentral University. Smith has been a successful business owner, an active community member, and a fitness coach specializing in Zumba. She’s traveled to over twenty-eight states in the US and eight countries abroad. In addition to teaching high school, painting, writing books, and nurturing her family, Smith enjoys studying and discussing education. She was a contributing writer for Blackandgiftedblog.com and was featured in the anthology "I Define Me" published by the Nia Group Stl, Inc. Smith has been featured in St. Louis American. She was also a guest on NPR's Here and Now and St. Louis' On Air Radio. Smith has written for the St. Louis American on education choices and been interviewed on radio shows, including Teacha Tigue's Let's Talk Shop on 1380AM The Woman, on Nichelle Womack's Small Business Hour on 690AM, along with television segments on Great Day St. Louis and a News Channel 9 special program focused on Teaching the Teachers.