Highlighting an OAESA Hero

from Principal Navigator Fall 2020

by OAESA

Legal Report

a matter of PRINCIPAL

a conversation with OAESA Columbus District Representative Andrew J. Smith, III

Tell us about your background and current position.

I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia. I taught middle school math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, English 9, English 10, Life Skills, and PE while teaching at Bowie High School in Prince George’s County Maryland, Poe Middle School and the Area II Alternative Learning Center in Fairfax County, Virginia. This is my 22nd year as an administrator in Columbus City Schools with a total of 27 years in education. I am currently principal of Valley Forge Elementary School.

What is the culture/climate like in your school?

We are collaborative, caring, welcoming, and passionate about the educational and overall well-being of our students. We are a purposefully inviting and engaging school community.

What do you view as your most important contribution to the day-to-day operations of your school?

My most important contribution to the dayto-day operations is creating an atmosphere of calmness that allows us to focus on supporting the diverse needs of our students.

If we interviewed your staff, what are three words they’d use to describe you? Why?

Family-oriented: I say this for many reasons, but specifically because I had the honor of donating a kidney to my older sister in 2013.

Supportive: I encourage healthy risk-taking to promote growth for students and staff.

Inclusive: I make attempts to give everyone a voice during school-based discussions and meetings that support the needs of our building.

Congratulations on serving on the OAESA Board as our Columbus District Rep. How long have you been on it? Why did you join?

I have been serving for one year. I have been a member of OAESA for many years and have appreciated the guidance, support,

and camaraderie of principals in our organization. I joined for professional growth and insight on impactful issues across the state that may help my continuous leadership development. I am happy to support fellow educational leaders and possibly advocate on behalf of our profession.

This issue focuses on how education has been changed as a result of COVID-19 and the racial justice movement of 2020. How has your school been changed thus far? How will your staff continue to evolve during this time of societal change and shift?

My school has increased its social justice awareness, empathy, and the desire to celebrate cultural diversity. We will continue to evolve by way of adapting learning, teaching, and leading during this pandemic and beyond.

What are some challenges and some silver linings of the societal changes that we have encountered in 2020, specifically when it comes to education and students?

Challenges have been ensuring an equitable and accessible education for ALL of our students. The abrupt change to remote learning in March really highlighted the issues surrounding students having access and means to learning. The joy within is the passion and desire we have to ensure learning is equitable and accessible for ALL children. As educators, we are in the position to give children what they need for sustainable access to opportunities for success in any arena!

Could you share any advice or words of wisdom for those who might be considering an administrative role? Why should they make this professional leap?

As parents, we experience many “firsts” with our children, from speaking to walking and more. As an elementary principal or teacher, we have the opportunity to experience many “firsts” with our students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

We get to experience in some cases, the joy of listening to children read for the first time, critically think in the school setting for the first time, or solve multi-step or higher level math problems for the first time! The why of making the professional leap is threefold.

1. The happiness that comes from experiencing the various ways children learn while providing a quality education

2. Facilitating the professional development and growth of staff members

3. The continued development of leadership skills during your own professional journey

I am very thankful and fortunate to be a principal in Columbus City Schools for as long as I have. My advice is to strive to build trust, value, healthy risk taking, and have an empathetic ear to the sounds that ring throughout your school.

“As educators, we are in the position to give children what they need for sustainable access to opportunities for success in any arena.”