Updated Vita

Todd Smith

7351 Wilderness Way

Weatherford, TX 76085

(817)221-2312 home (817)614-8591 cell

tsmith@azleisd.net

Education/ Certification

Masters of Education – Educational Administration

                                    Tarleton State University – May 1999

Bachelor of Science – Agricultural Services & Development

                                    Tarleton State University – May 1994  (Magna Cum Laude)

Certifications-            Currently seeking Superintendent Certification

                                    Standard Mid – Management Administrator (EC-12)

Provisional Vocational Agriculture

Instructional Leadership Development (ILD)

Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS)

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Principal – Walnut Creek Elementary School (Azle ISD)

Azle, Texas 

February 2006 - Present

• Supervised approximately 500 kindergarten – fourth grade students
• Supervised and evaluate approximately 55 teachers/support staff
• Received Exemplary Campus Rating  2006-2007 2008-2009 2009-2010
• Received Recognized Campus Rating 2007-2008
• Received Title I, Part A Distinguished Performance Award 2006-2007 2007-2008 2009-2010
• Listed in Texas Monthly as a Top Elementary School in TX 2006-2007
• Cited in TEA Best Practices Clearinghouse – May 2009
• Received Just for the Kids High Performing Schools – Writing 2008&2009
• Implemented use of Thinking Maps in all grade levels
• Implemented Phil Schlechty Working on the Work framework

Assistant Principal - Azle High School  (Azle ISD)

Azle, Texas 

June 2001 – May 2006

• Supervised approximately 1850 students
• Managed student discipline and attendance (around 450 students - S-Z)
• Coordinated Emergency Operations Planning Team
• Campus textbook coordinator
• Building Maintenance coordinator
• English department liaison
• SAT/ACT Test Supervisor
• Participated in ARD meetings
• Assisted with supervising/evaluating approximately 135 teachers/support staff

                       

Teaching Experience

Agricultural Science Instructor - Azle High School 

 July 1994 – June 2001

• Instructed and supervised agricultural science students
• FFA club advisor
• Coached FFA Leadership and Career Development teams
• Coordinator – AHS Career & Technology Advisory Council
• Building Leadership Team (BLT) representative

                               

Graduate Assistant – Dean of Agriculture – Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Summer 1994

• Assisted with classes/labs and coordination of programs

Additional Training / Professional Development

• SASA Principal Assessment
• TASA Technology Leadership Academy
• Azle ISD Sunset Committee Member – “Zero-Tolerance”
• Azle ISD Sunset Committee Member – “Drug Testing”
• Texas Legal Digest Law Seminars
• TASSP & TEPSA Summer Conferences
• TASSP & TEPSA  Fall Institutes
• Azle ISD District Design Team

           

Presentations

• Phil Schlechty- Working on the Work Framework. Azle ISD Central Office & Principals and Walnut Creek Faculty and Staff. August  2008 and 2009
• Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence. Azle ISD. August 2001,2002,2003 and 2004
• TBSI Trainer – Azle ISD
• CPI Trainer – Azle ISD
• Various campus staff developments throughout the past five years

Professional Affiliations

• Texas Association of Elementary Principals 2006 – present
• Texas Association of Secondary Principals 2001-2006
• Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association of Texas 1994-2001

Community Involvement

• Tri-County Electric Cooperative Director (October 2002- present)
• Azle Optimist Club Member since 1994
• Azle Optimist Club President (2001-2002)
• Azle Optimist of the Year (2002-2003)
• Azle FFA alumni member
• Parker County Livestock Improvement Association member
• Boy Scouts of America District Chairman

References Available Upon Request

Site Supervisor visit

My site supervisor is our Azle ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ray Lea. Our conference went very well. He was impressed with the project as well as the Lamar University on line program. He felt the activities will provide me experiences which will be beneficial in preparing for a superintendent position. There were no highlights discussed or mentioned. His advice to me was to get involved and learn as much as I can about all aspects of school. He attributes a lot of his success and knowledge from “jumping” in, getting involved and asking questions.

Vita - When cut and paste messed up some spacing and alignment

Todd Smith___________________________________________                                                                                                                                                     

7351 Wilderness Way

Weatherford, Texas  76085

 (817) 221-2312

tsmith@azleisd.net

Education/ Certification

                      Masters of Education – Educational Administration

                        Tarleton State University – May 1999

                        Bachelor of Science – Agricultural Services & Development

                        Tarleton State University – May 1994  (Magna Cum Laude)

·         Mid – Management

·         Provisional Vocational Agriculture

·         Instructional Leadership Development (ILD)

·         Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS)

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Principal – Walnut Creek Elementary School (Azle ISD)

Azle, Texas 

February 2006 - Present

• Supervised approximately 500 kindergarten – fourth grade students
• Supervised and evaluate approximately 55 teachers/support staff
• Received Exemplary Campus Rating  2006-2007 2008-2009 2009-2010
• Received Recognized Campus Rating 2008-2009
• Received Title I, Part A Distinguished Performance Award 2006-2007 2007-2008 2009-2010
• Listed in Texas Monthly as a Top Elementary School in TX 2006-2007
• Cited in TEA Best Practices Clearinghouse – May 2009
• Received Just for the Kids High Performing Schools – Writing 2008&2009
• Implemented use of Thinking Maps in all grade levels
• Implemented Phil Schlechty Working on the Work framework

Assistant Principal - Azle High School  (Azle ISD)

Azle, Texas 

June 2001 – May 2006

• Supervised approximately 1850 students
• Managed student discipline and attendance (around 450 students - S-Z)
• Coordinated Emergency Operations Planning Team
• Campus textbook coordinator
• Building Maintenance coordinator
• English department liaison
• SAT/ACT Test Supervisor
• Participated in ARD meetings
• Assisted with supervising/evaluating approximately 135 teachers/support staff

                       

Teaching Experience

Agricultural Science Instructor - Azle High School 

 July 1994 – June 2001

• Instructed and supervised agricultural science students
• FFA club advisor
• Coached FFA Leadership and Career Development teams
• Coordinator – AHS Career & Technology Advisory Council
• Building Leadership Team (BLT) representative

                                

Graduate Assistant – Dean of Agriculture – Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Summer 1994

• Assisted with classes/labs and coordination of programs

Additional Training / Professional Development

• SASA Principal Assessment
• TASA Technology Leadership Academy
• Azle ISD Sunset Committee Member – “Zero-Tolerance”
• Azle ISD Sunset Committee Member – “Drug Testing”
• Texas Legal Digest Law Seminars
• TASSP & TEPSA Summer Conferences
• TASSP & TEPSA  Fall Institutes
• Azle ISD District Design Team

           

Presentations

• Phil Schlechty- Working on the Work Framework. Azle ISD Central Office & Principals and Walnut Creek Faculty and Staff. August  2008 and 2009
• Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence. Azle ISD. August 2001,2002,2003 and 2004
• TBSI Trainer – Azle ISD
• CPI Trainer – Azle ISD
• Various campus staff developments throughout the past five years

Professional Affiliations

• Texas Association of Elementary Principals 2006 – present
• Texas Association of Secondary Principals 2001-2006
• Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association of Texas 1994-2001

Community Involvement

• Tri-County Electric Cooperative Director (October 2002- present)
• Azle Optimist Club Member since 1994
• Azle Optimist Club President (2001-2002)
• Azle Optimist of the Year (2002-2003)
• Azle FFA alumni member
• Parker County Livestock Improvement Association member
• Boy Scouts of America District Chairman

References Available Upon Request

Superintendent interview - Dr. Ray Lea

My interview with our Superintendent of Azle ISD, Dr. Ray Lea went very well. We had a little trouble coordinating a time to meet due to end of the school year activities such as retirement receptions, graduation, etc. Even though I have worked with and spent time with Dr. Lea the past 2 ½ years I found our conversation to be very informative and beneficial.

1. Question #1 – Leadership. At first he was going to give a “textbook” definition for leadership but after giving some thought he provided the following – the ability to inspire and encourage others to do more than they would normally do.  In thinking about this response I found it to be very true.
2. Question #2 – Positive leadership aspects of Superintendent. He responded that the most positive aspect of being a superintendent is the unique experience to make a difference for the largest amount of students. He explained that as a campus principal you make an impact on students at your campus, a teacher in the classroom; but as superintendent you are able to impact all students.
3. Question #3 – Negative or difficult aspects. Dr. Lea explained he experiences all the negatives and stress of the district. With a district our size (4A), there is often problems which include people disagreeing. As a superintendent he has to be involved in resolutions of conflict and assist in managing all the district problems.
4. Question #4- Attributes. A good communicator, teacher, good listener, ethical. Able to seek permission. Dr. Lea described being able to seek permission facilitates successful change. For change to be successful he must get permission and support from board, principals, teachers, students and community leaders. All groups must agree in order for effective change to happen.  I myself found this response to be very interesting and truthful. I had never really thought of this attribute of “seek permission” as he described it. One last thought he left me was that as a Superintendent you can only do as much as the board will allow.
5. Question #12 – Management of everything from budget to technology applications. He pointed out that the current Texas Legislative section has given a unique opportunity/challenge to look at having to cut out several million dollars from district budget. He explained that most school district budgets are 80-85% personnel. The challenge has been looking at cutting personnel (for our district attrition) and evaluating programs, purchases, etc. Possibly looking at alternative ways of funding, example grants. I found the last part of our conversation to be very enlightening. He explained as a superintendent you do not necessarily have to be an “expert” in all areas but that he feels it is necessary to have a “understanding” of everything and be the “expert” of knowing how they all come together and work together. He used our district as an example; even though we have a business manager, curriculum director and human resource director he must have knowledge of what is going on in each area.

Again, I really enjoyed the interview process. Dr. Lea remarked that the interview questions where good ones. Not only did the interview help me reflect and hear his responses to the 10 Competencies it also allowed me to learn more personally about our superintendent.

Internship plan

Activity # ____ You may give the number corresponding to the 38 activities from the text to identify one of the activities. Make as many cells as necessary to address all 38 leadership skill areas.	TExES comp.#___ You must have activities that represent each of the 10 Superintendent competencies.	Summary of Activity - Describe the activity you plan on implementing or participating in during your internship – you may use any of the internship activities identified in the School Leader Internship, 2nd edition, pp. 19 – 68.	Resource  Person	Projected Date to be Completed
1b	4	Review Board policy on vision, mission and educational goals. Note policies and practices not aligned with the vision.	Ray Lea	Jan. 2012
2other	2	Strategic Plan to continue implementing WOW framework	Tanya Anderson	Aug. 2011
3b	5	Review board policy and adm regulations regarding data collection, assessment and evaluation. Evaluate the degree being implemented	Tanya Anderson	Aug 2011
4a	4	Review bd policy regarding how communications will be managed.	Skip McCambridge	Oct 2011
5b	3	Assist in the planning and implementing meeting with local ATPE group	Ray Lea	March 2011
6a	2	Observe district leader use collaborative decision making. Observe outlining goals/problem definition, seeking info, providing info, clarifying/elaborating, challenging viewpoints, diag progress and summarizing.	Ray Lea	Aug 2011
7d	6	Interview person involved in implementation of district curriculum. Describe implementation process, note successes and concerns/problems with implementation	Tanya Anderson	Sept 2011
8c	6	Interview school counselor. Discuss schedule changes – rational and ramifications	Eva Dee Lewis	Jan 2012
9h	7	Interview district- level supervisor – assess current needs, goals, and level of service provided by central office instructional staff.	Tanya Anderson	Feb 2012
10b	6	Survey faculty on methods used to motivate students. Survey sample of students to gather methods that motivate them to perform in school.	Julie Geyer	Sept 2011
11f	8	Draw up a plan from “Draft Technology Standards for School Administrators”	Eddie Alford	Dec 2011
12f	5	Lead a group of grade level teachers in developing a six week review for math.	Grade level lead teachers	Dec 2011
13a	5	Review bd policy and evaluate school compliance with policy in co-curricular education.	Skip McCambridge	Oct 2011
14b	5	Gather written district staff development plan. Analyze the plan with respect to school mission, student achievement, and teacher evaluations.	Tanya Anderson	Aug 2011
15b	6	Meet with superintendent about change process – implementing WOW.	Ray Lea	June 2011
16b	10	Examine district discipline policy and provide analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.	Skip McCambridge	Nov 2011
17c	3	Interview school nurse to discuss goals for school health program.	Amy Gilbreath	Sept 2011
18d	9	Inventory the current administrative technology in use at Walnut Creek.	Yvette Thomason	Jan 2012
19b	10	Meet with district attendance officer. Discuss rules, procedures and ramifications of attendance on law, finance and general district operations.	Skip McCambridge	Aug 2010
20a	9	Examine health and fire dept inspections of facilities. Examine work orders.	Randy Spiker	Aug 2010
21a	9	Interview director of transportation – include cost, maintenance, personnel issues, training and safety, and student problems.	Randy Spiker/ Jeff Wise	July 2011
22a	9	Interview district food service manager – discuss current requirements, concerns and issues.	David Smith	July 2011
23other	7	Discuss non-renewal, termination process, contract types	Dwain Bates	July 2011
24b	8	Interview finance director – discuss responsibility, guidelines, training, and other major needs required of the position.	Kathy Kendall	Jan 2012
25a	3	Interview person responsible for district public relations – include strategies for effective communication to AND from the community. Community politics	Ray Ivey	Nov 2011
26c	3	Write a short proposal for increasing parent involvement and attitude toward school.	Kella Rippy/ Kim Hutton	Sept 2011
27b	6	Meet with teachers to discuss LA literature used with regards to gender stereotyping.	Kim Young	Nov 2011
28a	3	Compile a list of social agencies that are available to help and support students, faculty and administration.	Jenny Clevenger/Eva Dee Lewis	Sept 2011
29a	7	Obtain job description and evaluation for instructional specialist position. Analyze	Kim Young/ Tanya Anderson	Sept 2011
30a	2	Interview retired Principal on the oral history of the community and school system.	Thomas Hicks	Dec 2011
31a	1	Draft a list of guiding principles for ethical behavior. Discuss with one school and one business leader to solicit the principles they employ. Compare and contrast.	Ray Lea/ Nate Simmons	Oct 2011
32a	2	Work on improving interpersonal relationships in the following areas: -Avoid criticizing and value diverse options. -Seek to know and understand others. -Encourage consideration of varying perspectives.		July 2011
33c	4	Review bd training requirements and the role of superintendent in process.	Ray Lea	Feb 2012
34f	9	Interview someone with grant writing experience – review a grant- procedures and steps involved/ submitting.	Becky Trotter	March 2012
35a	6	Examine issue implementing WOW framework	Ray Lea/ Tanya Anderson	Dec 2011
36a	6	Compile a list of current issues that affect teaching and learning.	Kella Rippy, Tanya Anderson, Ray Lea	Feb 2012
37a	10	Gather list of professional organizations for Superintendent.	Ray Lea	Sept 2011
38a	10	Gather list of resources recommended for Superintendent.	Ray Lea	Sept 2011

The Internship Plan is a brief, but specific, document indicating your overall approach to the Internship Program. Within this document, you will briefly identify the areas of activities you will approach and indicate which of the ten TExES Superintendent Competencies and Quality Indicators are used with each. You will also provide a brief description of the activities, your resource person to be used, and estimated completion date for the entire plan. As always, this is a living document and subject to update and change.

District action research plan – Students may wish to add an action research plan to their Superintendent Intern Plan. You may use the two Action Research templates (School or Professional Improvement – SIP/PIP) Template, also located in your Resource Section. The action research is not a mandate, but we do encourage you to participate in district or campus initiatives that are part of your District or Campus Improvement Plan(s). You will be asked to report on your School Improvement Recommendations in your final course, EDLD 5399.