Caron Smith is a native of Baton Rouge, LA. As a product of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and a proud graduate of Scotlandville Magnet High School, Smith returned home on February 1, 2021, to serve as EBRPSS Chief of Staff. Smith’s Baton Rouge roots run even deeper. She pursued her post-secondary studies at Southern University and A&M College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership.

Smith’s path to becoming an educational leader began by answering what she describes as the “call and commitment to invest in the future of children from diverse backgrounds and the opportunity to plant seeds and cultivate lives that have the potential to return a harvest that is immeasurable.” Initially, she answered that call by beginning her journey as an educator teaching American Government and US History at EBRPSS’ Belaire High School. During her tenure as a teacher for EBRPSS, Smith was presented with the 2007 Nicholls State University “Making a Difference Award” for Exceptional Educators. After four years of teaching at Belaire High School, she was presented with an opportunity to serve in the role of Assistant Principal at Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School in the District of Columbia Public School System. For eight years in her role as Assistant Principal, she fostered a caring community of learners who engaged each day with rigorous curricula that prepared them for college, career, and life. She also supported students outside the classroom through a partnership with the National Academy Foundation of Engineering, as well as prioritized family engagement through a collaboration with the Flamboyan Foundation. In 2015, in recognition of her outstanding achievements and dedication as a school leader, Smith was honored with the David M. Rubenstein Award for Excellence in Leadership.

In 2017, Smith transitioned to a role at Central Office serving as the Director of Secondary Academic Scheduling and Support. In her role as Director, she led a team that was responsible for providing oversight and implementing operations for all DCPS Secondary Schools in the areas of data analysis and reporting, academic scheduling, transcript evaluation and detailing, academic records management, grade management, and graduation verification processing.

Smith’s continued motivation to serve children is marked by her desire and responsibility to ensure that all students are provided with an excellent education that will prepare them for the demands of a technologically and globally connected world.