Gateway’s Mr. Ben Smith Named 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year at TSA State Conference

Crystal Richards
By Crystal Richards
22

Gateway Academy is flying high this week as both students and staff make headlines at the Kentucky TSA (Technology Student Association) State Conference!

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Ben Smith was honored as the 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, a prestigious recognition of his dedication to STEM education and his outstanding leadership at Gateway. This incredible honor highlights the impact Mr. Smith has made on his students, his program, and the entire school community.

Meanwhile, Gateway’s talented TSA delegation is in full competition mode, going head-to-head with top students from across the state in events including:

  • Flight Simulation

  • Structural Engineering

  • Children’s Story

  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

  • Robotics

And the great news keeps coming—every Gateway competitor has advanced past the first round and will be competing in the semifinals today! 🎉 The top three teams or individuals in each event will earn a coveted spot at the TSA National Conference in June.

Please help us cheer on our incredible students and congratulate Mr. Smith for this well-earned recognition. It’s a proud week to be a part of the Gateway family!

Crystal Richards
Crystal Richardshttp://ccpsstudentlife.com
For as long as I can remember, I've been a teacher. My first students were fellow middle school musicians learning to play the flute, and my professional journey officially began at just nineteen years old, balancing engineering classes during the day with teaching preschool in the afternoons. Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching students from preschool through adults in a wide variety of subjects, including Algebra to web design to English as second language. Those experiences taught me that great teaching isn't about a single subject—it's about meeting students where they are, helping them discover their strengths, and inspiring them to keep learning. Today, I teach 7th grade Social Studies at Hopkinsville Middle School, where I strive to bring history to life and help students see how the past shapes the world around them and that everyone is connected. Outside the classroom, I'm a proud mom of four who loves traveling, writing, creating art, and telling the stories that make our schools and community special. Through CCPS Student Life, I enjoy celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our students, educators, and programs. Every story is an opportunity to showcase the talent, perseverance, and heart that make Christian County Public Schools such a special place.
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