Hello! I’m Teresa Smock-Potter and I’ve called Big Lake home almost my entire life. I loved growing up here and I’m so grateful my husband and I can raise our kids here as well. I currently work in the Big Lake School District in several capacities. Prior to my current roles, I was the Assistant Principal at Liberty Elementary. I enjoy getting to work with so many caring and dedicated people. Thank you for selecting me as a Face of Big Lake!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Our Smock-Potter Team is a family of 5. I was lucky enough to marry my best friend, Mitch, 13 years ago and we have been blessed with 3 kids that definitely keep us on our toes! One of my biggest blessings is to get to work where my kids go to school. Vanessa is in 4th grade, Keegan is in 2nd grade, and Quincy Wallace is in pre-school. It has been so fun seeing how all three of our kids have such different personalities and passions, but how all of them have such giving and kind hearts.
My extended family originally came to Big Lake in 1948, when my great-uncle built a place on Eagle Lake and my grandma and grandpa got a cabin on the same lake soon after that. My parents lived in that cabin before getting a place of their own and starting Big Lake Chiropractic, where my great-uncle got to work with my parents for some time. My parents currently live in Buffalo and I also have 3 brothers who live in the cities. We are so thankful they live so close, so they can be such a big part of our children’s lives. Our kids love nothing more than playtime with their cousins, uncles, and Nina and Papa!
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I grew up in Big Lake. Mitch grew up close by, in St. Michael. After getting my undergraduate degree at the University of St. Thomas – where I was a swimmer and runner – my master’s degree at the University of Minnesota and my first two educational roles, I moved back to Big Lake.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
After college, I began teaching at Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School. There I taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade. I then took a position leading a federal magnet grant in West St. Paul at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School. Next, I took a position in Big Lake and have been here for almost 10 years. I was the Assistant Principal at Liberty Elementary and most recently I am the Big Lake Online School Administrator, the District Homeless Liaison, and the District SEL Coordinator – Social and Emotional Learning. These are many hats, but oddly enough they cross over in some interesting and powerful ways. One part of my job has allowed me to support our district in having a stronger focus on mental health awareness and a larger partnership with Central Minnesota Mental Health Center. In addition, I am also the PCN – Big Lake Substance Prevention Coalition – Co-Chair with Jack Merwin. I thoroughly enjoy getting to partner with so many passionate school and community members that want the very best for all of our students. I have the opportunity to be creative and build bridges to help people.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
I’ve had very few nicknames. The only two that come to mind are T-Train from my high school track & field coach and Olive, which my husband calls me because I love olives!
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I appreciate resting on the couch with my husband and binging on Netflix after putting our kids to bed. One that we have enjoyed recently was Yellowstone! I also always savor the time I get running on my treadmill and watching Hallmark movies. Most of my reading lately has been connected to the doctoral classes I have been taking or the books we read as a family that are part of our nightly routine.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would have beef and celery stir fry and coffee. When I was growing up, we attended Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, and Father Wey, one of my all-time favorite people in the world, taught my mom how to make this stir fry in one of his cooking classes.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I love watching my kids play basketball, soccer, swimming, baseball, and softball. I enjoy hiking, running, biking, relaxing in the hot tub, and swimming in the pool with my family. We really love spending any time we can at my parents’ lake and at our family cabin on Leech Lake. My daughter and I also find great happiness in doing pottery on the wheel.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
There are so many things I would love to cram into the time I am lucky enough to have here. I would like to volunteer again at a homeless shelter and at the Big Lake Food Shelf with my kids, travel more with my family – our RV trip to Yellowstone and Hawaii snorkeling sparked a passion for exploring new places together, and continue supporting our Big Lake students, their families, and our larger community. A huge goal of mine is to find a way to help our Big Lake community build a community center.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
I would build a homeless shelter and community center for Big Lake, pay for our children’s college, travel, and buy a lake place.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
During the pandemic, I started having some heart issues that still need to be monitored. My biggest worry is not being here for my kids.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would stress less and be more present in the moment.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by so many heroes! Marie Bottema was instrumental in my spiritual life as I grew up next to her in church. Every day I am honored to work side-by-side with school staff with huge hearts and a passion to make the world a better place! I couldn’t have grown up with better brothers and parents, and look to them when I am needing strength or a good laugh! Also, my kids and husband are my rocks and the things I am most thankful for in the world. I certainly look up to people like Jack Merwin, Lenette Brown, Molly Schroeder, John Bruns, and Bob Lageson – our old superintendent. Finally, I would say my best friend’s daughter, Mariella. She was born with a genetic difference, 5P-, but always has a positive attitude and overcomes her struggles with a smile on her face.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
My husband and I both like the smell of skunks! Also, I have always wanted to open a homeless shelter and when I was a kid I wanted to be a priest – obviously that was something I would not be able to do but as a child it was something I wanted.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Definitely my family.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
I was a hostess at Russell’s and loved the grilled cheese there. Some others are Casey’s and their maple donuts and breakfast pizzas (if you have never had one – you must!), all of our coffee shops, El Loro, #1 China, any food truck at Lakeside Park, and my kids love Subway.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
I love the people. By growing up here, I have gotten to know so many people and love when I run into someone I haven’t seen in several years. I feel very lucky my kids get to grow up here too.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Get involved! There is so much you can do – ECFE, community classes, or volunteer work. Try to always look for the positive and don’t underestimate random acts of kindness. Invite someone for a cup of coffee and talk to people.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
John Bruns, Jack Merwin, Lenette Brown, the Serve BIG group, Bill Hannay, and the Big Lake school staff. There are too many staff to pick between coaches, Kid’s Club, teachers, ECFE, and administration.
