Marlena Smith (Special Ed Teacher) was born in the port city of Gdynia in Poland. While living in Canada for 20 years, she worked as a special education assistant and attended Simon Fraser University in Vancouver where she graduated with a degree in Psychology and Criminology. Marlena has traveled extensively and worked in Belgium as a mediator between young offenders and victims. Understanding human behavior and helping those in need has always been her passion. She became a family counselor with a focus on holistic health. Six years ago, she began teaching continuing education classes in the area of personal empowerment in Canada, and continues to teach similar classes for the University of Utah.

During one of her travels, Marlena met her husband and moved to Salt Lake City in 2008, where she began working in the Salt Lake City School District as a special education assistant. Eager to experience yet another adventure, she started working at the Early Light Academy in February 2010.

As an outdoors person, she spends most of her spare time discovering the beauty of the Southwest with her husband, her son, and their dog. Marlena loves spending time with her family, whether they are traveling, going to the gym, or enjoying good films together. Lately, she has been studying the history of the United States.

Marlena is excited to be part of the Early Light Academy. She loves the students and her co-workers.