Schmidt joins SMHS staff

Zach Schmidt's teaching career has taken him almost literally around Carbon County, but he's happy to have landed in Saratoga as the new special education teacher at Saratoga Middle/High School.

Schmidt graduated from Rawlins High School in 2004. While growing up, he said he frequented the Platte Valley to go fishing, hunting and hiking.

After receiving his teaching certification from Dakota Westlyn University in Mitchell S.D., Schmidt came back to his hometown to teach.

He taught in Rawlins for four years, and at Little Snake River Valley School (LSRV) for a couple years after that. While at Carbon County School District No. 1, he taught both Special Education and Science.

Though he was originally a science teacher, Schmidt said he had experiences with special education students at a previous job. He said after watching how they learned, he wanted to become an advocate for those with special needs.

When the job opened up in Saratoga, he decided this was the year he was going to "make the move over the mountains."

"I really liked living in Baggs, but Saratoga has always been a spot where my fiancee and I have always said 'this could be home'," Schmidt said.

Schmidt said it was a tough decision, but he says Saratoga already feels like home. Schmidt moved into his Saratoga home at the beginning of the month.

The beginning of the school year tends to be a busy and stressful time for teachers. However, Schmidt said he feels fantastic about the school year already.

"It's exciting," Schmidt said. "It's really easy to go to work everyday when you are really excited about what you are doing."

Schmidt said he looking forward to working with the students and watching them improve over the year. After meeting with the staff at Saratoga Middle/High School, he said he has been impressed with what he has seen from them thus far.

"I was fortunate enough to work with a great staff in Rawlins and a great staff as LSRV, and here it seems to be no different," Schmidt said.

Schmidt is looking forward to the students finally arriving at school; the first day of classes is always exciting to him. He said he plans to be in Saratoga for a long time, and is looking forward to seeing his students grow academically over the years.