|
Tuba
City Junior High Math Whiz Jehron Smith, has scored 3,786
in the recent AZ Merit Geometry test in June, though he is
only 13 years old and still in junior high.
(photo by Rosanda Suetopka - Navajo-Hopi Observer)
|
TUBA CITY, AZ Tuba City Junior High student Jehron Smith,
the son of Alberta Nez and Nate Smith, is categorized as gifted
and talented. He presents his special skills in math at two separate
high school level classes, geometry and algebra II.
Smith, 13, has been in advanced placement math classes for the
past two years and this year he is again taking two high school
level math classes at Tuba City High School with ease.
During the week, Smith attends his normal junior high level
classes for part of his school day. He is then transported with
the support of the district's transportation department across town
to Tuba City High School, where he takes two math classes from specially
assigned tutors, Imelda Torres-San Jose in geometry and Raye Lynn
McCabe for algebra II.
"I was Jehron's geometry teacher last year, but I consider myself
more of a facilitator in working with him," Torres-San Jose said.
"Jehron took geometry on-line through the Edgenuity Program that
we have here at Tuba City High School. He has already completed
the tenth grade level math course when he was in seventh grade.
Our school had him take formal testing at the AZ Merit Geometry
Test in June of 2016 and he scored 3,786 points which placed Jehron
at the highly proficient test level 4."
Smith's teachers and peers say Smith is very respectful and
extremely eager to learn.
"I have always had an interest in math and my favorites right
now are imaginary and real number math problems," Smith said. "I
would like to study bio-engineering when I go to colege since one
of my other favorite subjects is science. I really like my two classes
at Tuba City High School, they are both pretty easy for me."
Smith currently holds the highest math score for the Tuba City
Unified School District (TCUSD). He said he enjoys analyzing higher
order thinking skills questions. He knows how to solve word problems
and problems and is learning to think independently and asks challenging
questions.
Smith said math is extremely easy for him, but he hasn't let
that go to his head.
"With a good education, you can do things you might never dream
were possible. I want to thank my grandfather, Norris Nez Sr. and
my aunt Loretta Saganitso and also my gifted-talented teacher Mrs.
Robbins and my parents for supporting me all the time and encouraging
me every day," he said.
When Smith isn't working on math or science problems, he enjoys
drawing freehand and listening to music.
|