Re-introducing Netaiyah Smith!

Our most recently hired full-time employee may be new to her position of Assistant Afterschool coordinator, but she’s a very familiar face around Operation Shoestring. Netaiyah Smith began her Operation Shoestring journey in 2014 as a volunteer and became a summer camp counselor in 2016. Over the years she’s grown professionally and developed her teaching skills considerably. After five years of part-time teaching students in Project Rise, she’s now helping our programs staff ensure our afterschool and summer programs run smoothly. Smith has been featured in different OS blogs and social media posts before, and so we’d thought we’d like to take a moment to share what Smith believes is so important about Operation Shoestring—in her own words!

Alexandra Melnick: Why do you enjoy working at Operation Shoestring?

Netaiyah Smith: I enjoy being a part of a team that is passionate about the betterment of children and families.We’re not put into a box here at Shoesting. We have the freedom to be creative when it comes to developing plans to help those around us. 

AM: How have you changed since you began at Operation Shoestring?

NS: Since working at Operation Shoestring, I have had numerous training sessions that I have benefited from both professionally and personally. Shoestring has helped to mold my outlook on several different aspects in life. 

AM:  How would you describe our programs?

NS: Over the years, I have watched Operation Shoestring help kids grow academically, socially, and emotionally. There is one student who is enrolled in our program who literally only spoke when spoken to, and whenever she did speak it was in a whisper.  She never engaged in conversation with other students, or initiated conversations with teachers. Now she not only talks to everyone, but also speaks loud and clear. 

AM: Finally, what is your favorite memory from Operation Shoestring?

NS: One of my favorite memories from here at Operation Shoestring is from December of 2018 when each class had a gingerbread house building competition. I made sure each of my students played a role in the competition and got to bring their ideas to life. This competition helped their leadership, listening, and communication skills amongst each other. The best reward was that my class won in the end!   

To find out more about how you can support Project Rise, you can go to operationshoestring.org/support.