UPPER DUBLIN — Getting to know you might best sum up the initial goal of new Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie J. Smith.
Officially taking over from interim Superintendent Dr. Marykay Feeley Dec. 4, Smith said her short-term goal is “to get to know stakeholders, both internal and external … build relationships with teachers, students and staff and with the township and other external organizations. To listen and learn.”
Long-term, the goal is “to meet the needs of all students and make sure they have access to provide them with the best possible education we can,” she said.
“I do not have other specific goals,” Smith said. Having reviewed the district’s comprehensive plan, “I want to learn and hear from constituents — what they’re proud of and what they see a need to grow.”
Assistant superintendent at Perk Valley
With 20 years’ administrative educational experience, Smith spent the last seven as an assistant to the superintendent and then assistant superintendent for the Perkiomen Valley School District. Prior to that, she was a middle school principal in both the Upper Perkiomen and Northwestern Lehigh school districts and began her career as a physics and math teacher in the Parkland School District in Allentown.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education mathematics & physics from Kutztown University, a master’s in educational leadership from Wilkes University, and a doctorate in education administration from Immaculata University.
“I loved my time in Perkiomen,” but “was ready to take the next step,” Smith said.
“I was very selective of where I would go,” she said, noting she sought “a district I believe was aligned with my beliefs — a progressive school district that believes in equity for all — very much aligned with who I am as an educator.”
“You don’t pass up a district like Upper Dublin,” she said.
“I was looking for a district that has more of a community feel,” Smith said, one smaller than Perkiomen, which has 5,100 students compared to UD’s 4,100.
A resident of Emmaus, she and her husband plan to move to Upper Dublin in two to three years, after their children, a sophomore and senior in high school, graduate, she said.
When she was a middle school principal, “I lived in the community and found I missed being part of that,” she said.
‘Entry plan’ from focus groups
Smith said she has developed an “entry plan” based in part on surveys and focus groups held during the district’s application process.
Two areas stood out — “to look at special education programming as well as relationships with the township,” she said.
Smith has participated in interviews for a new director of student services, who oversees special education, she said, adding, “We’re close to having a recommended candidate.”
Acknowledging “every district has its challenges,” Smith has not yet identified any in particular. “The biggest challenge will be that I’m new,” she said.
“I have felt extremely welcomed by everybody” — custodians, teachers, staff, the school board — “they want me to be successful.”
The interview process included stakeholders from different groups, 25 people in the first round, Smith said.
“That sent the message that the district is interested in the thoughts and opinions of the stakeholders. What clinched it for me was the interview with the school governing board and the executive leadership team,” she said. “There is a genuine desire to do good work for the kids. I could feel that; it felt good.”
Strengthening achievements
Asked about thoughts on closing the achievement gap, Smith said, “I think there are some changes now in terms of reading instruction, the science of reading and how our brains learn to read.”
There should be “a strong core program guaranteed for all students … all having a similar experience,” she said. Upper Dublin is working on strengthening Tier 1 instruction and having interventions in place.
“You have to remove barriers,” which could be language, socioeconomic or others, Smith said. “The way we are presenting materials in a classroom, presenting in multiple modalities. Not one size fits all … making sure we are helping students figure out how to best demonstrate their knowledge.”
While she has dealt with some cultural hot button issues during her tenure, Smith said, “To my knowledge those issues are not prevalent in Upper Dublin.”
Every community “has varying perspectives and you have to honor all, but continue to support our mission and provide equity,” she said. “It can be tense, but staying the course and continuing to more forward for what is best for all students, while honoring other opinions” is the goal.
In a press release announcing the Sept. 27 board approval of Smith, UDSB President Jeffrey Wallack said, the “four pillars” of her approach “resonated with the board: developing our team, listening and learning to build trust, honoring diversity and promoting equity, and communicating meaningfully.”
“Dr. Smith is, in her own words, truly committed ‘to ensuring that every student receives the support necessary to realize their unique potential.’”
