Federal Way Public Schools Graduates of Note

Richard Smith

Scientist, Federal Way Public Schools Parent

Decatur High School Graduate
Class of 1981

Now a senior-level scientist with the Army Corps of Engineers, Richard Smith earned a bachelors of science in Geology from University of Washington before earning his masters in Geology from Texas A&M, on a National Science Foundation fellowship.

Q&A

1. What year did you graduate, and from which school?

1981. Decatur H.S.

2.  What post-secondary education or training did you pursue? Where?

A.A. Degree from Highline Community College.
B.S. in Geology from University of Washington.
M.S. in Geology from Texas A&M (National Science Foundation fellowship).

3.  What are you most significant and/or recent accomplishments?  What are you most proud of?

At work: I have worked on many interesting cutting edge environmental restoration engineering projects including a state-of –the-art fish passage facility for a flood control dam and underground thermal treatment of a major groundwater pollution source.  I am a senior level scientist and have been temporarily promoted to supervisor of my section.

At home: I am very proud of my family.  My wife, Suzanne, volunteers in the Federal Way School District and local community.  My son and daughter are both excellent students and show an interest in and a dedication to pursuing careers in science.

4. Describe an experience, event or individual in your public education experience that inspired or motivated you.

I had a science teacher named Mr. Weisman in Jr. High School who I still remember.  I became interested in science at this time.

5. Do you have any advice to share with teachers and/or students in school today?

To educators: All students are individuals who will advance at their own rates depending upon their abilities and level of interest.  It is fine to have minimum standards to which we want all students to achieve.  However, it is too easy to hold the high achievers and dedicated learners back by trying to teach all at the same level at once.  I enjoyed my K-12 experience best when the Federal Way School District experimented with self-paced learning.  Students should not be grouped by age, but by ability; and even these groupings should be loose and flexible.

To students: Learn at your pace.  Only you know what you are capable of doing.   There is always a second chance, so don’t worry about today’s failures.