Nathan Smith Keeps His Classroom Engaged

by Wyatt W. 

Mountain Range High School has many hallways and rooms filled with the hum of conversation and laughter, but one classroom in particular stands out for its energy and curiosity. Inside, science teacher Nathan Smith, has built a strong connection with his students and makes them excited to learn.

Unlike most teachers, Smith didn’t always plan on becoming one while getting his education at CU Boulder: “I thought I wanted to be a mechanical engineer,” he remarked. “After that, I moved into the physics program and found I had three options. I could work in industry, a lab, or a classroom. I chose the classroom.”

“He doesn’t just teach the material, he actually makes us think,” Sophomore student Noah M stated. “He connects science to stuff we care about, which makes it way more interesting.”

Outside class, Smith is also known for his unique hobby of collecting rocks and minerals for the past three years and has turned into a full-on passion. His classroom shelves are dotted with quartz, geodes, and other colorful specimens.

Smith discovered his interest in them while he was a student teacher here at Mountain Range: “The classes I taught were geology and physics. After being introduced to the formation of rocks and minerals in that class, the science behind their formation, and the chemical structure of the rocks, I found fascinating.” Later that year, Smith attended a gem and mineral show in Denver and started collecting from there.

“He really connects with you while teaching,” claimed sophomore student Conner V. “Most of the time I feel like he's not even a teacher, just a friend explaining science to me.”

For Smith, teaching isn’t just a job, it’s a responsibility that carries deep meaning. “I think it may be the most important thing that can be done,” he stated. “What is true is more important than anything else, and the job I’ve signed up for is to teach the truth.” He believes that every lesson matters because students should learn it and enjoy it. And the impact of his words even reaches beyond the classroom.

For Mr. Smith, education is more than tests or lectures; it's about truth, curiosity, and helping students find their place in both school and the world by inspiring them and helping them strive for success every day.