For the past 34 years, Kristin Smith has poured her heart into Ponca City High School, where she teaches AP Language and Composition and English IV. A lifelong Wildcat, Kristin is not only a dedicated educator but also a proud alumna of the district, and even more proudly, she teaches alongside her sister, Leanne Parr.
Kristin’s love for working with young people and helping them overcome challenges is what drew her to education. “I’ve always loved working with children and seeing them begin to understand concepts that were difficult for them,” she said. “I hope to instill a love of learning in every student I teach.”
Before coming to Po-Hi, Kristin taught for one year at Blackwell High School. But Ponca City quickly became home, and for more than three decades, she’s made a lasting impact in the classroom and on the sidelines. Until recently, Kristin also served as the longtime coach of the Po Hi-Steppers, leading the dance team with passion and creativity for 34 years. “I absolutely loved coaching and seeing my choreography come to life on the field or court,” she said.
One of the most influential people in her life was her third-grade teacher, Carolyn Hopkins. “She made learning fun,” Kristin said. “She once built a tunnel for us to crawl through to our desks as we learned to spell the word ‘through.’ I’ll never forget her.” That same spirit of fun, warmth, and creativity shines through in Kristin’s teaching today.
Outside of school, Kristin enjoys reading, shopping, crocheting, relaxing by the pool, and spending time with friends and family. She and her husband, Don Bohon, who is Ponca City’s Deputy City Manager, have two children: Luke, 19, a student at NOC Tonkawa, and Rheagan, 17, who will begin her freshman year at Oklahoma State University this fall. Kristin is also a proud dog mom to three rescue pups: Ranger, Winnie, and Wiggins.
With a kind heart, an open mind, and a deep love for her students and school, Kristin Smith continues to be a true example of what it means to teach with purpose.
