Get to know your Midway ISD teachers

Amy Smith • Midway High School • TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Amy teaches Honors Biology, and is in her 24th year in education (and her 19th year at Midway). She has been on the MHS Professional Development School (PDS) Steering Committee for the past five years, and currently serves the Baylor University School of Education by hosting their senior-level interns—13 interns over the past 16 years. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys working out with her CrossFit 15:10 family in China Spring, playing Frisbee golf, participating in Spartan races around Texas, watching Netflix, and any outdoor activity. She has been married for 20 years and has three beautiful children. She’s also been lucky enough to have taught two of her three children in Biology. Some of her favorite teaching moments have been sharing her love of what she does with them in class.

Lori Johnston • Woodway Elementary

Lori teaches kindergarten and is in her 13th year of teaching (and 11th year at Midway). Outside the classroom, she loves watching her childrens activities, Baylor sports, doing things with her family, and her grandson! Lori and her family are also involved at First Baptist Church Woodway. She and her husband, Alan have been married for 30 years and have four children: Bailey, Audrey, Cal, and Ava. The older three graduated from Midway, Ava is currently a junior at Midway, and Bailey is now a teacher and coach at Midway High School. Her favorite part of teaching is getting to see the growth and maturity of her students throughout their kindergarten year.

Jill Kuykendall • Speegleville Elementary

Jill teaches first grade at Speegleville Elementary. She taught for nine years in Lockhart ISD, and this is her second year at Midway. She is a proud Speegleville and Midway alumni. Jill and her husband raised two children in Hays CISD, and when their daughter graduated, the family returned to Waco. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends. They love to travel and see new places they’ve never been. The Kuykendall family is strong in its faith and loves going to church. Jill has always loved teaching early elementary because her students are so eager to learn new things. She tries to instill a love for learning, especially reading, and teach them they can become anything they dream!