At a night of tribute for Genevieve T. Smith, one of the most personal reflections came from Dr. Jacqui Quinn, who spoke not only as a former student but as a colleague and family friend shaped by Smith’s influence.
Quinn told mourners that Smith—widely known as “Teacher Jen”—was never afraid to correct a child who strayed, but always did so with patience and compassion. Discipline, she recalled, was paired with reassurance, making it clear that high expectations were rooted in care rather than punishment. It was a balance that defined Smith’s classroom and her life.
Beyond formal lessons, Quinn said Smith believed teaching did not end when the school bell rang. She remembered her taking time to listen to students individually, drawing in the quietest child, sitting beside those who struggled, and finding ways to help them regain confidence. Smith, she noted, had an instinct for seeing potential where others might see difficulty.
Quinn also reflected on Smith’s emphasis on education as a foundation for independence, especially for young women. The message was consistent and unwavering: focus on learning first, build character, and the rest of life would follow. That advice, Quinn said, stayed with her long after childhood and guided her own professional journey.
As a fellow educator, Quinn highlighted Smith’s distinctive teaching methods, including her patient approach to phonics and literacy. Smith, she recalled, would repeat a lesson as many times as necessary, convinced that every child could succeed with the right support. Her classroom, Quinn said, was a place where persistence was quietly celebrated.
The tribute extended beyond school walls. Quinn shared memories of Smith as a loyal friend—someone who showed up in moments of need, offered practical help without being asked, and maintained lifelong bonds with families across the Potters community. Smith’s friendships, she said, were marked by the same constancy that defined her teaching.
Quinn concluded by urging those present to remember Smith not only as an exceptional teacher, but as a mentor whose guidance continued into adulthood, shaping values of service, honesty and compassion. Her life, Quinn said, was a lesson in itself—one that would continue to instruct long after the classroom lights had gone out.
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