Discovery Principal Smith accepts similar slot in Hartselle

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Dr. Robbie Smith is leaving as principal at Discovery Middle School for a similar job in Hartselle, her hometown.

At Hartselle Junior High School, Smith’s new job will be “almost a mirror of Discovery with grades 7-8 and about 500 students. I live in Hartselle and have family there,” Smith said. “Our church family is in Hartselle, and my daughter still has many friends there.”

During her career, Smith has worked as a science teacher at Arab High School and guidance counselor at Danville High School.

After joining the Madison City Schools staff, she was assistant coordinator for ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators & Students Statewide), assistant principal at Heritage and Madison elementary schools and interim principal at Heritage Elementary School. Smith was Discovery’s principal for two years.

For the person who succeeds her, Smith would bestow congratulations instead of advice. “You are coming into a great faculty (at Discovery) devoted to student achievement and professional growth and a great staff that does everything needed to support our students and community,” she said.

Smith feels a sense of pride for work that “our school did in developing our instructional target. It was an ongoing process that involved teachers, administrators and students. It’s the heart of what we believe is important for instruction.”

In addition, she is “proud of the culture created at Discovery. The faculty and staff have grown into a professional learning community that will sustain beyond any changes in administration.” Smith said jokingly, “I’m proud of every time we beat Liberty.”

At Jacksonville State University, Smith studied biology for a bachelor’s degree and then pursued secondary education for a master’s degree. She earned certification in school counseling at Alabama A&M University and certification in administration at JSU. She received a doctorate degree in educational leadership from University of Phoenix.

Her husband Mike Smith works as quality manager for PCE Paragon. The daughter Maggie, 11, will attend Hartselle Intermediate School.