Math whiz honing skills at Tuba City High School and junior high

TUBA CITY, Ariz. —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.