With all the distractions and demands of everyday life, it’s important to practice being mindful. School social worker Wes Smith helps Churchill Road teachers and students focus with regular yoga sessions and mindfulness training.

Mr. Smith has been with FCPS for 22 years and this is his eighth year at Churchill Road. He loves being able to go into different classrooms and teach yoga or read to students. In his own words, “It gives me an opportunity to meet almost everybody and it makes me feel good being able to give students tools that they can use to manage their emotional well-being.” He always looks forward to coming back to Churchill Road after the summer breaks.  The students, staff, and teachers are awesome and inspiring, and he enjoys practicing yoga with the students.

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Mr. Smith’s family moved to Northern Virginia when he was six.  He’s an FCPS alum, having attended both Hayfield and Clermont Elementaries, before moving to Prince William County where he was a member of the first graduating class from Potomac Senior High School in Woodbridge. It was during high school that Mr. Smith developed healthy habits, riding crew and playing soccer. He then went on to earn a B.S. in Psychology from George Mason University and an MSW from Catholic University. Before working for FCPS he served in the US Marine Corps Reserve for six years and had many different jobs including working at JC Penney when Lady Di and Prince Charles came to his store for a visit. Mr. Smith is the only educator in his family; of his three siblings, one brother is an attorney, the other is a Major in the USMC, and his sister is an artist.

Outside of school, Mr. Smith and his wife enjoy reading and going for long walks with their dog Layla. He teaches yoga at Circle Yoga in D.C. and finds that the Washington area is a great place to explore art, music and history, as well as providing the opportunity to run, bike, swim, and hike. Mr. Smith has a musical side; he plays guitar and mandolin and enjoys creating music with his friends.  He has recorded three CDs with his musical duo, the VooDoo Penguins, and has played a few local gigs.  Unfortunately, the band has broken up, but he still plays music with friends.

Thank you, Mr. Smith, for your enthusiasm for all things Churchill and for keeping all of us focused and mindful. We hope that you are here for many years to come.