BIOGRAPHY
Greetings, I am Marissa Smith. I am originally from Spartanburg, SC but have lived in the Triangle area since 2001. I hold a B.S. in Elementary Education and English, M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, and am in the second year of my MSA program at NC State. I began teaching in 2000. Throughout my career, I have worked as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, literacy instructional coach, and Instructional Resource Teacher. My work spans across three school districts; Winston Salem Forsyth, Durham, and the last 19 years in Wake County. I have been married to my husband Carranza for 20 years. We have two sons; Evan 15 and Zachary 10. My fur baby is Zeus, a Cane Corso. We live in Clayton.
As an advocate for children. I believe students deserve our very best in all things. I am caring, compassionate, teachable, and a catalyst for change; relentless about getting to know the school community I serve. I strive to learn the strengths, challenges, aspirations, and values of those I work alongside; so I understand how my actions may impact your journey and so we can work together peacefully and collaboratively. I welcome constructive feedback and have a growth mindset, working continually to grow in my capacity. I believe that when you rise you take others with you, when you grow you teach others, always remembering I serve on a team.
I am on this school leadership journey because many others have realized potential in me that I could not initially see, believed in me, and supported my efforts as I walked out this path. I want to do the same for other educators. The effective school leader understands that the stretch to dream beyond today, see the potential of the future, and take risks can be scary and uncomfortable. It requires that leaders meet people where they are, give them a voice and opportunities, and provide support to help them reach their goals. I want to cultivate a school community that is built on transparency and open to new possibilities. These characteristics foster trust that manifest into meaningful relationships. Such relationships are absolutely imperative to do the work of schools in the 21st century.
As an advocate for children. I believe students deserve our very best in all things. I am caring, compassionate, teachable, and a catalyst for change; relentless about getting to know the school community I serve. I strive to learn the strengths, challenges, aspirations, and values of those I work alongside; so I understand how my actions may impact your journey and so we can work together peacefully and collaboratively. I welcome constructive feedback and have a growth mindset, working continually to grow in my capacity. I believe that when you rise you take others with you, when you grow you teach others, always remembering I serve on a team.
I am on this school leadership journey because many others have realized potential in me that I could not initially see, believed in me, and supported my efforts as I walked out this path. I want to do the same for other educators. The effective school leader understands that the stretch to dream beyond today, see the potential of the future, and take risks can be scary and uncomfortable. It requires that leaders meet people where they are, give them a voice and opportunities, and provide support to help them reach their goals. I want to cultivate a school community that is built on transparency and open to new possibilities. These characteristics foster trust that manifest into meaningful relationships. Such relationships are absolutely imperative to do the work of schools in the 21st century.