August 9, 2023 • 30 mins
Imagine leading a diverse cultural, racial, and socio-economic school district serving over 16,000 students and 2,500 employees and being responsible for equal and equitable opportunities for all. When he became Superintendent for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township in Indianapolis, Dr. Shawn Smith found himself in such a position. This episode provides a fascinating journey through Dr. Smith's storied career in K-12 education, and the leadership insights he's gained. From his early passion for social studies ignited by his grandmother's love for reading to his unexpected foray into administration, Dr. Smith's journey is a testament to the power of creative leadership.
This conversation delves into how Dr. Smith champions positive community partnerships, nurtures emerging leaders, and emphasizes the importance of investing in education. As we traverse through his leadership journey, he also underlines the significance of maintaining normalcy amidst crises and fostering personal relationships. Dr. Smith's belief in the potential of every child and education as a catalyst for uncovering it paints a hopeful picture for the future of public education. So, join us for this enlightening conversation and celebrate the transformative power of education and leadership.
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Episode Transcript
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Sarah (00:07):
Hello and thank you for turning in to Illuminate,
navigating the unknown throughcreative leadership.
I'm Sarah Hemsted, principal incharge and CEO of Schmitt
Associates.
Today, I'm joined by Dr ShawnSmith, superintendent of the
Metropolitan School District ofLawrence Township and a good
friend of ours, Committed toeducating students and serving
the Indianapolis community.
Dr Smith's extensive K-12career spans decades.
(00:31):
He taught social studies at IPSin Washington Township schools,
served as an assistantprincipal and principal at
Eastwood Middle School and underhis leadership, the school was
awarded the coveted Four StarSchool Award by the State of
Indiana.
He was also named districtprincipal of the year in 2003 by
the Indiana PrincipalsAssociation and served as
president of the IndianaAssociation of Principals from
(00:53):
2006 through 2008.
During a celebrated career inWashington Township, Dr Smith
joined the Metropolitan SchoolDistrict of Pike Township, where
he served as principal of PikeHigh School Freshman Center and
led efforts to open the facilityin 2004, before being promoted
to director of student andcommunity services and as the
(01:13):
assistant superintendent ofsecondary education.
In 2014, he was selected as thesuperintendent for Lawrence
Township, which has over 16,000diverse students and is the
ninth largest school district inthe state.
In addition to his K-12administrative career, Dr Smith
is the current president of theIndiana Urban Schools
Association, and this episodewill dive into Dr Smith's
(01:36):
experience and explore hisunique perspectives on creative
leadership.
Thanks for joining us, Thank you.
So I want to start with thebeginning of your career in
education, where you were ahistory social studies teacher.
So what led you there?
Was it a love of the actualsubject matter?
Was it a mentor?
Was it a teacher?
Dr. Shawn Smith (01:57):
Well, let's first of all start with my
family dynamics.
I was raised by my mother andgrandmother, and my grandmother
was a voracious reader, and sothose of you out there who
remember the good oldencyclopedias at home that was
the before the internet andwebsites and getting information
you had a great encyclopedia athome.
(02:18):
I was always tasked withreading with my grandmother, and
then she was a covenant overowner of the reader's digest
Anybody remember that.
Sarah (02:26):
Oh, yes.
Dr. Shawn Smith (02:27):
So growing up in, that home reading was very
important.
I had a choice either read thator grab the Bible, and so many
times I selected theencyclopedias.
So I became very quickly anexpert in various topics related
to the world and so I want tocredit that social studies that
come from my grandmother.
Sarah (02:48):
So so was grandma or mom a teacher.
Did they push you to do that?
Dr. Shawn Smith (02:51):
No, no, they were not.
They were very much good peoplewho didn't have the
opportunities that I had, butthey were very pro education in
our home.
So I just thank them for theirsacrifices and their commitment
to education.
Sarah (03:06):
So they pushed you to go to college.
Where'd you go to college?
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:08):
I went to Indiana University.
Sarah (03:10):
To the great Indiana University.
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:11):
I went to Indiana.
Sarah (03:12):
That's right.
And from Indiana University.
What did you want to do?
You left college and you wantedto do what?
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:19):
I think during the period that I was at IU,
probably 90% of the people oncampus wanted to be the next
business person.
I was there during the 1980sand those of you who were from
the era it was all about WallStreet, and so I think everyone
that walked on that campuswanted to be a business major,
and I thought about it.
But I quickly changed my mindwhen I visited a friend, a first
(03:40):
classroom in Annapolis PublicSchools, and then I realized
where my passion was, and so sheasked me to come back every
Friday to volunteer for herclassroom, and the rest was
history.
Sarah (03:51):
So you had a good mentor.
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:52):
I had a very good mentor.
Sarah (03:53):
So from that mentor, you decided you were going to teach.
As you started your career,what did you wish you knew,
starting out in public schoolsas a young man?
Dr. Shawn Smith (04:05):
I'm glad I didn't know anything because I
really enjoyed it.
I mean, I really mean that I'vebeen doing this for 30,.
This fall will start my 34thyear and I could just remember
walking in and being so excitedabout the kids.
I caught the fever.
I wasn't necessarily thinkingabout the money or I just really
enjoyed working with youngpeople and I learned that right
(04:27):
away from my friend and theclassroom became my passion, and
so I didn't leave teaching togo do something else because I
didn't enjoy it.
I really enjoy being a teacherand a coach.
Sarah (04:40):
So how'd you grow from being a teacher and a coach to
moving into the administrativeside?
That's a big change.
Dr. Shawn Smith (04:45):
That's a big change and I have to be honest
with you I don't know how I didthat.
I shouldn't have ever showed upin Dr Rudy Wilson's office, who
was my principal.
Just a little known story Istarted off in IPS and during
that time was the time period inwhich they began to lay off a
lot of teachers.
They had to lay a lot ofteachers off because at that
point court order desec bussingwas taking place and kids were
(05:07):
leaving IPS to go to thetownships.
And so I somehow, with blessingof God, got the opportunity to
go to Washington township and Iworked for a gentleman by the
name of Dr Rudy Wilson as who'ssince passed.
He actually passed this year at90 years old, and he hired me as
a social studies teacher and Iwas probably in my fourth year,
fifth year, of teaching, and hecame to my classroom and said
(05:30):
come see me.
And he talked to me aboutadministration and so said son,
you need to go get your master'sdegree and I want you to be an
administrator.
And I said well, doc, I want tocoach football.
I got a whole group of eightgraders that want to play
football, and and and so therest was history.
Sarah (05:46):
What do you think Dr Rudy saw that made him come to your
classroom that day?
Dr. Shawn Smith (05:50):
Well, I think he saw my passion.
I think he saw how well Iinteracted with the teachers at
the school and the success thatI had as a coach because we had
some really good teams back thenand we were doing great things.
But I think he sat down andtalked with me and kind of
learned my history and mybackground and really encouraged
(06:12):
me to become a leader.
Sarah (06:13):
So one of the things I've always admired about Lawrence
Township is it has a real senseof community, and you said team
and you said community a coupletimes already.
Talk about that a little bit.
What do you do to create andenhance that sense of community?
Dr. Shawn Smith (06:31):
I think I learned right away as a leader.
The leader doesn't quite get todo it all by himself, and part
of being a leader is a motivatorof people and a courager, and
I've been blessed to work incommunities that really they had
good people and so you just hadto learn very quickly your
(06:52):
success was going to be built onhow well you're able to work
with them and help them becomesuccessful.
Kind of back to my days as acoach.
I'm coaching a group of kidsand how do you motivate 57th
graders, 12 year olds?
They don't have the kids putthe uniforms on backwards and
I'd have half the kids that knewhow to play football.
And so how do you motivatethose kids?
(07:13):
Well, you teach them and youbecome a motivating and a
courage, and once I had successwith that, I just continue to do
that in all of my roles.
Sarah (07:23):
When I look at your role right now, the Blue Ribbon
Facilities Group was one of thefirst your first, really, as the
top leader, bringing the wholecommunity together.
Do you've always worked inurban districts?
And people coming fromdifferent spaces and places with
different expectations.
How do you make them into ateam?
Dr. Shawn Smith (07:39):
Yeah, that was challenging but also exciting,
as I had the privilege ofworking in Pike Township during
a time in which Pike had thisenormous explosion and growth
from being literally a ruraldistrict to urban, because they
went from 5,000 to 10,000students in like less than a
(07:59):
decade.
I mean just massive growth.
So facility-wise they werereally ahead of the game.
And I showed up in Lawrence andwe had really stopped doing
building and renovating ourbuildings and, quite honestly,
we were kind of in a toughperiod because at that time we
had lost students because theyhad closed the building a few
years before I becamesuperintendent.
(08:20):
And so I became quickly a goodlistener and I just kept hearing
pride over and over again andpeople who really wanted more
from their district.
And so I spoke with the boardand the board said Dr Smith, we
want our buildings to be likePike, we want to be better.
And so it was easy for me torally the district because from
(08:42):
the very top of the organization, the Board of Education saw the
vision of us renovating andreinvesting into our buildings.
And so I got that first yearprobably about a hundred plus
people together to join our BlueRibbon Facility Plan and we
went around and looked at allthe buildings.
We talked about what waspossible and then I realized we
couldn't do this by ourselves.
So we start calling our friends, a Schmidt and other places to
(09:06):
help us bring that vision toreality, and it has created a
lot of pride within our schooldistrict.
Sarah (09:13):
One of the things I think is really cool about the vision
you have for the district isyou have so many innovative
programs that you just don't seein other school districts.
Talk about that for a minute.
Where do those come from?
Do they emerge from thecommunity itself?
Do you see a need in theworkforce?
Both end.
Dr. Shawn Smith (09:28):
Yeah, I'm not gonna take all the credit,
because there's been some greatinnovative leaders that have
certainly led our district priorto me.
I've been able to build on theexcellence that they've created
from the immersion program.
Our investment that we have incareer tech, with McKenzie being
one of the just premier CTEprograms, were vocational.
For those of you out thereDon't know what CTE is, I was
(09:51):
gonna ask you to explain Exactlyexactly.
And just really encouraginginnovation.
So it was really easy for me tolock in on that and really know
the history of the communityand just continue to build from
the excellence that they hadfrom the past.
Sarah (10:08):
So tell me about an initiative you're working on now
that you feel like really isunique to Lawrence Township.
Dr. Shawn Smith (10:15):
Oh my, we have so many.
Sarah (10:18):
I know it's like picking your favorite job.
It is, and.
Dr. Shawn Smith (10:19):
I have to go to the jugular and really I got
one A and one B.
If we're gonna talk about wherewe are right now, you gotta
talk about the two high schoolsat the same time, cause you're
not gonna find, sarah, as youwell know, in the state of
Indiana, really in the Midwest,a district with two large,
comprehensive high schools andattacking them both at the same
(10:41):
time.
Renovation of Lawrence Centraland Lawrence North High School
is probably one of the mostchallenging tasks that I've ever
had, because not only do wehave to renovate them, they have
to be equal and they have to bevery good, because both sides
of the community want excellence.
And so just taking on a projectthat large and if we look down,
I think, sarah, it's probablyright now one of the largest
(11:03):
school projects bar none in thestate of Indiana, I think you're
right has been a challenge.
But two years ago, after thepandemic, we really delve deep
into who we are as a communityand really taking a look at how
students are performing, and soour equitable student outcome
report that we put together,really diving into the success
(11:24):
of all students of all races andall backgrounds as an
institution.
How can we change who we are tomake students better and using
data looking at how we run ourorganization, created a heck of
a report.
You can go online and look atit and it's called our Equitable
Student Outcome Report.
It's a game changer because nowit's truly guiding everything
(11:46):
we're doing, from constructionto the day-to-day operations, to
even how we're hiring teachersand what we're teaching in our
district.
Sarah (11:55):
You've used competition in a positive way and a lot of
what we're talking about acompetition between being the
high schools both great and bothequal, taking a team and
raising the bar about where wecan be comparing to Pike.
Talk about that.
Talk about the nature ofcompetition and public education
.
Dr. Shawn Smith (12:14):
It's different because educators are wired to.
We're helpers, we don't take abusiness approach.
But we're having to changebecause competition is a way of
life now.
This whole talk about schoolchoice has really changed how
public schools approach theirmark today.
We didn't have thisconversation 34 years ago, but
(12:39):
today it's very much a part ofwho we are and what we do.
It's easy to jump on, because Iwork in a district where a lot
of people have a lot of pride intheir community.
They're winners, they've wonstate championships, they want
to be a competitive.
But it has really changed howwe are approaching our
day-to-day operation because wehave to market, we have to talk
about our excellence a lotdifferently than what we did
(13:01):
when I first started.
Sarah (13:03):
Do you think that spills over to the community?
Writ large it does.
Dr. Shawn Smith (13:06):
It does, I think, parents generally.
Today and I'm becoming an older, my kids are all adults now.
Parents are wired for that.
They want to know what do youdo?
Well, I have choices Good, badWhereas my parents woke up and
said the schools on 40th andCapital, that's where I expect
for you to go.
You better not be late.
You go to Broad River HighSchool.
(13:28):
Those people better not call meon the phone.
It's a little bit different.
People just approach everythingin our society today looking
through the lens of what's bestfor me, and so public schools
have had to adjust to that.
Sarah (13:41):
So one of the things about positive competition is
that you can set the standardand help bring along emerging
leaders, whether they work foryou or whether they work
anywhere else.
What's that look like in theeducational context of Central I
?
Dr. Shawn Smith (13:55):
think it's critical because we're at a
point coming out of the pandemic.
We begin to realize that we'rewe don't have enough people in
the profession and we'recertainly lacking the dedicated
leaders that we had years ago.
So what we're going to do iswe're going to set the standard
for each of those.
We're beginning to realize wehave to grow our own and really
encourage the younger generationto take our place.
(14:15):
And we have to do that becausewhat we do in education is so
profound.
I think we look at schools andwe look at a test score, a one
data piece, but education isdeeper rooted than test scores.
It's a way of life.
It's motivating and encouragingyoung people to do great things
(14:36):
, things that their parentsdon't even think about.
My oldest daughter is a medicaldoctor and I take credit for
feeding her, clothing and givingher everything we can, but I
didn't encourage her to become abiology major in college.
It was her ninth grade scienceteacher.
And so we go through thisjourney of life and there's so
(14:56):
many people that touch you.
But education has a lot to dowith that and we have to
acknowledge that and we have togrow that and cultivate it.
If we want great people in ourcommunity.
We want innovative people inour society.
We've got to invest in themthrough their education.
Sarah (15:12):
So no, that's a great point.
When I came home and told mymother I should be an architect,
she said what's an architect?
Because a teacher told me maybeI should look at doing that.
Thank you.
Dr. Shawn Smith (15:21):
Sarah, thank you for acknowledging that, and
we send that message to all theeducators, because that's why we
do what we do.
We certainly don't do it forthe money.
Sarah (15:31):
We do it because of the people part.
Dr. Shawn Smith (15:34):
We're people oriented.
Sarah (15:36):
Now I would be remiss.
You brought up the pandemic andI would be remiss if I did not
say you were the sole person Iknew during the pandemic who
woke up the next day when schoolwas not opening and still put
on your three piece suit andyour tie.
There's a reason that you didthat Right.
Talk about that.
Dr. Shawn Smith (15:55):
You know, in the middle of a crisis, we can't
lose the fact of who we are andwhat we do.
One of the things that I learnedfrom the pandemic is that we
needed one another andleadership had to go to a whole
nother level to keep people calmand focused, because I think it
took us maybe a week or two torealize we really need schools
open for all the above reasonsand various reasons for
(16:19):
different kids.
So I tried to maintain a senseof normalcy during a time of
crisis to keep people motivatedand encouraged, because at some
point we were gonna have to comeback to school and the kids
needed to be back in school.
So my team worked very hard tofigure out plans and ways that
we could get kids back inside ofschool and back to normal, and
(16:41):
it was challenging.
We got a lot of negativity Inever received bad notes out
there, folks, until the pandemiccame along from people because
of opening or closing school,but at the end of the day, it
wasn't about whether we wantedto open a closed school.
We needed to figure out what weneed to do for our children,
and so we just stayed focused onthat.
Sarah (17:01):
When you are modeling normalcy and the situation that
was not normal, when you'regetting up and putting on your
tie every day, whether on zoommeetings or not, what, what did
you do as a leader to stayEnterdice and ready for the next
day?
Dr. Shawn Smith (17:17):
as a leader, Well, let me tell you what's
there.
Zoom was not my friend.
I Was not a fan of it.
I'm a people person and I had tofigure out a way to get back in
the office and startInteracting with people and
people that I knew, because itwas not good enough for me to
have zoom meetings all day.
I Stay, I stay connected.
(17:38):
I talked to people on the phone.
I call folks and I tried tofind a way to to make sure all
of my people were okay.
But my ministries will tell youI had one meeting with all my
friends.
I had all my administratorsgive us 80 of us on zoom, and
that drove me crazy because Icouldn't get personal With all
80 of there.
I mean somebody talking.
I'm used to being in a roomwith them, and so we we ended
(18:01):
that and then I said I'm gonnatalk to each individual.
So I began to go around andtalk every day with a group of
principals, a group of mycentral office people, to make
sure that Everybody was fine,and so a phone call was my, my
poison.
It kept me going.
Sarah (18:15):
So you went back to building community?
Dr. Shawn Smith (18:17):
Yes, I'm back to build the team building your
community.
Sarah (18:19):
Yeah, let me talk to my people so what have you learned
from that lesson, aboutcommunication that you use now
and your day-to-day, and whatmakes you better leader now?
Dr. Shawn Smith (18:31):
I Think not to take it for granted.
I think sometimes, whenproblems come along or issues
were quick to point fingers orblame, and I Think there's never
enough communication withpeople.
I Use the power of the office,I use the power of walking and
visiting people.
I think sometimes we get caughtup with our cell phone,
(18:53):
pointing to my cell phone folksthat a quick tweet, a quick
email I know I've got Gen Xersthat I lead and they're they're
ill, they're having somethingpersonal, and they will email me
, a text me, and Immediatelythey'll get a call from me or my
sister saying come to my office.
Well, I'll be over to see you,because if you're ill and I'm
(19:15):
your leader and you leave one ofmy divisions or schools, that's
important to me I can't, aschool can't operate without the
principal, that's right.
So I you don't text or email me.
You're gonna see me, we'regonna talk, tell me what's going
on.
I need to see your facialexpression, I need to feel your
body language and how can Isupport you?
So I just believe in in orderto be a great servant leader is
(19:38):
you got it?
You got to be with people, okay.
Sarah (19:41):
Do you feel like the next generation of students is gonna
have a harder timeline?
Dr. Shawn Smith (19:46):
Yeah, they're gonna have a hard time with it
because we become so relying onour phones and the Texting and
the, the FaceTime that we'relosing human interaction.
Some of my best leadership withyoung people was Showing up
every day in the time shirt andshowing them being a role model
for them, mm-hmm, pointing outto them when they were doing
(20:07):
something wrong, encourage them,give them a high five, telling
the kid hey, I'm gonna beat yourfootball game tonight.
Run two touchdowns for me.
And the kid remember that.
And they run him and say, mrSmith, I can you see what I did
for you?
Yeah, you did that.
You don't get that through theinteraction of a, of a device.
And we got it.
We got to remember that thathumans need each other.
They need to interact with oneanother and encourage and
(20:28):
motivate.
Sarah (20:31):
So if you look back on the very beginning of your
career, to where you are now,what do you wish?
You would have known if youcould tell that young man oh.
Man if I could.
Dr. Shawn Smith (20:43):
I Think when I first started in education, I
and I still have this passiontoday that Teachers and
administrators can make adifference for kids.
As you move over, slide over tothe business side of it, that's
where it gets complicated.
If I could have what I'mdangerous today because I know a
lot and I still.
(21:04):
I don't think I'm that smarteither because I'm constantly
learning.
Okay, it's another message toleaders we don't know at all is
the business side of educatingchildren is a lot more enormous
than I knew at 22 years old andI came right into the profession
and it's enormous and I wish Iwould have known that at 22 and
(21:25):
I think most of my youngteachers and even some of my vet
veteran teachers don'tunderstand the gravity of
normity of the business side ofeducating kids.
It's huge.
Sarah (21:35):
What would you have done differently, had you known that
then?
Dr. Shawn Smith (21:37):
I probably would approach things at an
earlier age and really spoke outmore positively about the work
that teachers do.
The investment we make in youngpeople is priceless, but
there's cynics out there thatthink it doesn't make a
difference.
And it does make a difference,and I have countless number
examples of a public schoolturning a kid from zero to 10.
A public school taking a kidwho is now leading a major
(22:01):
corporation, and it was allinspired by one teacher.
But then we talk abouteducation in terms of numbers
and the business side of it, andif this kid doesn't achieve,
then this school is a goodschool and this is a bad school,
and I'm of the belief that allschools need to be good.
Every kid that attends a school, I don't care what type of
school it is they must havegreat experiences, they must
(22:23):
achieve.
These kids must graduatebecause they've got to take our
place as adults.
Sarah (22:27):
What happens if we don't do that, if we don't start to
value every kid?
Dr. Shawn Smith (22:32):
every school.
We're gonna see a divide inthis country like we've never
seen before and we're gonnawaste a lot of talent.
I just firmly believe that allchildren have gifts.
It's just what do we put intothem?
There is so much talent in theworld that we can't waste, and I
think humans and their naturalbeing is that.
(22:53):
Natural being is that they'rewired to do something, and so
what are we gonna do with them?
Right, what are we gonna dowith people?
We're worried about havingpeople work, or let's find young
people's talents and strengthand let them go at it.
That's why I'm always I'vealways been a motivator in their
courage.
When a kid comes to me and saythey've got a dream, I wanna
believe in it and then tell themhow to do it, but I don't
(23:16):
discourage them.
Sarah (23:17):
No matter what, it is no matter what.
Dr. Shawn Smith (23:18):
It is okay, unless they tell me they're just
not gonna do anything and siton mama dad's couch.
Sarah (23:23):
Well, that's not very good, that doesn't count, that's
not gonna happen.
Dr. Shawn Smith (23:26):
But I wanna encourage young people to do
great things and that's where wehave to be extremely careful of
saying good kid, bad kid, goodschool, good community.
It's about opportunities thatwe provide to young people.
Sarah (23:39):
No, I think that's right, and as you watch the debate
nationally and locally aboutwhat's our investment worth, I
mean I'd put the first dollartowards education, because
what's your other choice?
Dr. Shawn Smith (23:48):
What's the other choice for the kids?
Absolutely, and some kids arevery blessed from their home and
their environment.
Some are less than some don'thave that, and the one equalizer
is that we can get them insideof a place where adults really
care about them and hope for thebest for them.
Sarah (24:05):
School may be the only place that they got a smile and
a pat on the back.
Absolutely, absolutely.
That's worth something.
Dr. Shawn Smith (24:10):
Thank you guys.
Sarah (24:12):
All right.
So, as a leader, constantreflection on how we're doing
now, what we wish we could havedone better and what we wish
people will say about us someday.
So someday when you're donewith your leadership journey.
What do you hope people say Forme personally, for?
Dr. Shawn Smith (24:32):
me personally.
I just want to be known as aneducator.
You don't even have to call mea superintendent, former
principal.
All the things I've done is notjust no, that Dr Smith wasn't
educated.
He was a teacher.
He was a teacher of youngpeople and supported adults.
Nothing special, because Ithink that in itself is of great
respect and pride.
(24:52):
I prided myself on being ateacher and for the last 30 plus
years I've had a pluribus ofstaying in the profession and
really, truly, maybe you onlyhad a few days.
Most of the bad days have comeas superintendent, but I've
enjoyed every day.
Sarah (25:08):
So what do you do for your own health and wellness to
make sure that you keep enjoyingevery day?
Dr. Shawn Smith (25:12):
I'm at age now, where they tell you if you
don't do something right, and soI try to take care of myself.
Plenty of rest, and I have beenvery blessed.
I've had a beautiful family,friends, and I just try to enjoy
myself when I'm away from work.
I am a raster.
I like to rest, but I'm also abusybody, so I'm always reading
something, doing something, butat the same time, I know the
(25:35):
value of resting because I havea very demanding job.
Sometimes people ask what doyou do on Friday night?
Well, I have two high schools.
Somebody's got a gang andsomebody in the community wants
to see me, I want to talk tosomebody.
Plus, I just enjoy watchingkids be successful.
So when it's time to go home, Ido find time to rest.
Sarah (25:55):
That's good.
That's good, all right.
So I've got two final questions.
Yes, one just for you and onethat I ask everybody.
So tell me one of your mostinspiring stories.
I know it's like picking yourfavorite child working in
education.
What's a story you go back toas a touchstone of this is worth
it, right?
Dr. Shawn Smith (26:14):
I think the touchstones are when I hear the
voices of kids and I hear MrSmith or Dr Smith, and they will
say something that I said tothem years ago.
Like Mr Smith, you remember,you told me I could do this and
(26:38):
then I realized, oh my God, theylisten to what we say and how
we do it.
I'm a superintendent and one ofmy wonderful young men and his
daughter is an incredibleathlete for us.
He called me in.
The first thing he said wascoach, and I'm thinking, oh man,
I did coach you, marcus, and Ineed this and you can remember
(27:00):
everything.
Can you help me with this?
And this young man is 45 yearsold.
Then you realize, oh my God,what this is all about.
So those are my fondestmemories Is the young people
that I've worked with whoremember something, or
interacting with former studentswho now work for me.
(27:21):
They're teachers andadministrators, and that's what
it's all about.
Then you know, okay, we'redoing something right, okay.
Sarah (27:31):
All right.
So my last question what do yourecommend everybody pick up and
read?
Dr. Shawn Smith (27:36):
Oh my God, I am a well, I'm a former social
state, so anything that'shistorical.
I'm a voracious reader of thenewspapers and I do go online.
Now, dana, I do.
I don't have to have that, butalthough I do get a couple of
them tomorrow, I still like theIndie Star paper.
It comes in my office but Iread everything that's news, but
I have my habits.
(27:57):
I am a big fan of Henry LewisGates.
I love reading his books, butone of my all-time favorite
books is a book called Lincolnon Leadership, donald Phelps.
I have edition one, two andthree.
He's got three editions of it.
Anyone out there that's inleadership you need to read this
book on.
(28:18):
Who I believe is one of themost fascinating leaders in
American history is AbrahamLincoln, and I think every
leader can relate to him in someway or the other.
If you're a person out therewho has failed at everything
you've done, he's got youcovered.
But this book points to thequalities that Lincoln had.
(28:38):
In these essential qualitiesfrom character, integrity, being
able to speak and communicateare really helpful tips, and one
who is in leadership, and Ijust highly recommend it's an
easy read.
If you don't want to read thewhole thing, go to the back of
each chapter for those of youlike to cheat and read the
important points that they makeabout Lincoln's leadership, and
(29:03):
so I have something within myschool district called our
Teacher Leadership Academy.
We will celebrate our 10thcohort this fall.
It's my way of teaching.
My principals recommendteachers to want to become
leaders to be in my class andfor an entire year.
I teach them about leadership,and one of the cornerstones of
this program is each individualis required to read Lincoln on
(29:26):
leadership with me, and so Istill teach there.
Sarah (29:30):
Dr Smith, I always learn something when I spend some time
with you.
Thank you so much for takingthe time today.
Dr. Shawn Smith (29:35):
My pleasure.
Sarah (29:36):
This has been a great conversation.
I love hearing about LawrenceTownship and if you, all
listeners, want to learn moreabout Lawrence Township yourself
and progress in the district,visit LTSchoolsorg and see the
great work that's happeningthere.
Thanks for listening toLuminate navigating the unknown
through creative leadership.
We hope this episode hasinspired you, giving you some
new book to pick up and read,and supplied some valuable
(29:58):
insight into the world ofcreative leadership.
Don't forget to subscribe toour podcast wherever you get
your podcast, so you never missan episode, and we'd love to
hear your thoughts and feedback.
So feel free to reach out onFacebook, instagram, linkedin at
Schmidt Associates and onTwitter at Schmidt underscore a
source.
And until next time, keepnavigating the unknown with
creativity and confidence.
Hello and thank you for turning in to Illuminate,
navigating the unknown throughcreative leadership.
I'm Sarah Hemsted, principal incharge and CEO of Schmitt
Associates.
Today, I'm joined by Dr ShawnSmith, superintendent of the
Metropolitan School District ofLawrence Township and a good
friend of ours, Committed toeducating students and serving
the Indianapolis community.
Dr Smith's extensive K-12career spans decades.
(00:31):
He taught social studies at IPSin Washington Township schools,
served as an assistantprincipal and principal at
Eastwood Middle School and underhis leadership, the school was
awarded the coveted Four StarSchool Award by the State of
Indiana.
He was also named districtprincipal of the year in 2003 by
the Indiana PrincipalsAssociation and served as
president of the IndianaAssociation of Principals from
(00:53):
2006 through 2008.
During a celebrated career inWashington Township, Dr Smith
joined the Metropolitan SchoolDistrict of Pike Township, where
he served as principal of PikeHigh School Freshman Center and
led efforts to open the facilityin 2004, before being promoted
to director of student andcommunity services and as the
(01:13):
assistant superintendent ofsecondary education.
In 2014, he was selected as thesuperintendent for Lawrence
Township, which has over 16,000diverse students and is the
ninth largest school district inthe state.
In addition to his K-12administrative career, Dr Smith
is the current president of theIndiana Urban Schools
Association, and this episodewill dive into Dr Smith's
(01:36):
experience and explore hisunique perspectives on creative
leadership.
Thanks for joining us, Thank you.
So I want to start with thebeginning of your career in
education, where you were ahistory social studies teacher.
So what led you there?
Was it a love of the actualsubject matter?
Was it a mentor?
Was it a teacher?
Dr. Shawn Smith (01:57):
Well, let's first of all start with my
family dynamics.
I was raised by my mother andgrandmother, and my grandmother
was a voracious reader, and sothose of you out there who
remember the good oldencyclopedias at home that was
the before the internet andwebsites and getting information
you had a great encyclopedia athome.
(02:18):
I was always tasked withreading with my grandmother, and
then she was a covenant overowner of the reader's digest
Anybody remember that.
Sarah (02:26):
Oh, yes.
Dr. Shawn Smith (02:27):
So growing up in, that home reading was very
important.
I had a choice either read thator grab the Bible, and so many
times I selected theencyclopedias.
So I became very quickly anexpert in various topics related
to the world and so I want tocredit that social studies that
come from my grandmother.
Sarah (02:48):
So so was grandma or mom a teacher.
Did they push you to do that?
Dr. Shawn Smith (02:51):
No, no, they were not.
They were very much good peoplewho didn't have the
opportunities that I had, butthey were very pro education in
our home.
So I just thank them for theirsacrifices and their commitment
to education.
Sarah (03:06):
So they pushed you to go to college.
Where'd you go to college?
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:08):
I went to Indiana University.
Sarah (03:10):
To the great Indiana University.
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:11):
I went to Indiana.
Sarah (03:12):
That's right.
And from Indiana University.
What did you want to do?
You left college and you wantedto do what?
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:19):
I think during the period that I was at IU,
probably 90% of the people oncampus wanted to be the next
business person.
I was there during the 1980sand those of you who were from
the era it was all about WallStreet, and so I think everyone
that walked on that campuswanted to be a business major,
and I thought about it.
But I quickly changed my mindwhen I visited a friend, a first
(03:40):
classroom in Annapolis PublicSchools, and then I realized
where my passion was, and so sheasked me to come back every
Friday to volunteer for herclassroom, and the rest was
history.
Sarah (03:51):
So you had a good mentor.
Dr. Shawn Smith (03:52):
I had a very good mentor.
Sarah (03:53):
So from that mentor, you decided you were going to teach.
As you started your career,what did you wish you knew,
starting out in public schoolsas a young man?
Dr. Shawn Smith (04:05):
I'm glad I didn't know anything because I
really enjoyed it.
I mean, I really mean that I'vebeen doing this for 30,.
This fall will start my 34thyear and I could just remember
walking in and being so excitedabout the kids.
I caught the fever.
I wasn't necessarily thinkingabout the money or I just really
enjoyed working with youngpeople and I learned that right
(04:27):
away from my friend and theclassroom became my passion, and
so I didn't leave teaching togo do something else because I
didn't enjoy it.
I really enjoy being a teacherand a coach.
Sarah (04:40):
So how'd you grow from being a teacher and a coach to
moving into the administrativeside?
That's a big change.
Dr. Shawn Smith (04:45):
That's a big change and I have to be honest
with you I don't know how I didthat.
I shouldn't have ever showed upin Dr Rudy Wilson's office, who
was my principal.
Just a little known story Istarted off in IPS and during
that time was the time period inwhich they began to lay off a
lot of teachers.
They had to lay a lot ofteachers off because at that
point court order desec bussingwas taking place and kids were
(05:07):
leaving IPS to go to thetownships.
And so I somehow, with blessingof God, got the opportunity to
go to Washington township and Iworked for a gentleman by the
name of Dr Rudy Wilson as who'ssince passed.
He actually passed this year at90 years old, and he hired me as
a social studies teacher and Iwas probably in my fourth year,
fifth year, of teaching, and hecame to my classroom and said
(05:30):
come see me.
And he talked to me aboutadministration and so said son,
you need to go get your master'sdegree and I want you to be an
administrator.
And I said well, doc, I want tocoach football.
I got a whole group of eightgraders that want to play
football, and and and so therest was history.
Sarah (05:46):
What do you think Dr Rudy saw that made him come to your
classroom that day?
Dr. Shawn Smith (05:50):
Well, I think he saw my passion.
I think he saw how well Iinteracted with the teachers at
the school and the success thatI had as a coach because we had
some really good teams back thenand we were doing great things.
But I think he sat down andtalked with me and kind of
learned my history and mybackground and really encouraged
(06:12):
me to become a leader.
Sarah (06:13):
So one of the things I've always admired about Lawrence
Township is it has a real senseof community, and you said team
and you said community a coupletimes already.
Talk about that a little bit.
What do you do to create andenhance that sense of community?
Dr. Shawn Smith (06:31):
I think I learned right away as a leader.
The leader doesn't quite get todo it all by himself, and part
of being a leader is a motivatorof people and a courager, and
I've been blessed to work incommunities that really they had
good people and so you just hadto learn very quickly your
(06:52):
success was going to be built onhow well you're able to work
with them and help them becomesuccessful.
Kind of back to my days as acoach.
I'm coaching a group of kidsand how do you motivate 57th
graders, 12 year olds?
They don't have the kids putthe uniforms on backwards and
I'd have half the kids that knewhow to play football.
And so how do you motivatethose kids?
(07:13):
Well, you teach them and youbecome a motivating and a
courage, and once I had successwith that, I just continue to do
that in all of my roles.
Sarah (07:23):
When I look at your role right now, the Blue Ribbon
Facilities Group was one of thefirst your first, really, as the
top leader, bringing the wholecommunity together.
Do you've always worked inurban districts?
And people coming fromdifferent spaces and places with
different expectations.
How do you make them into ateam?
Dr. Shawn Smith (07:39):
Yeah, that was challenging but also exciting,
as I had the privilege ofworking in Pike Township during
a time in which Pike had thisenormous explosion and growth
from being literally a ruraldistrict to urban, because they
went from 5,000 to 10,000students in like less than a
(07:59):
decade.
I mean just massive growth.
So facility-wise they werereally ahead of the game.
And I showed up in Lawrence andwe had really stopped doing
building and renovating ourbuildings and, quite honestly,
we were kind of in a toughperiod because at that time we
had lost students because theyhad closed the building a few
years before I becamesuperintendent.
(08:20):
And so I became quickly a goodlistener and I just kept hearing
pride over and over again andpeople who really wanted more
from their district.
And so I spoke with the boardand the board said Dr Smith, we
want our buildings to be likePike, we want to be better.
And so it was easy for me torally the district because from
(08:42):
the very top of the organization, the Board of Education saw the
vision of us renovating andreinvesting into our buildings.
And so I got that first yearprobably about a hundred plus
people together to join our BlueRibbon Facility Plan and we
went around and looked at allthe buildings.
We talked about what waspossible and then I realized we
couldn't do this by ourselves.
So we start calling our friends, a Schmidt and other places to
(09:06):
help us bring that vision toreality, and it has created a
lot of pride within our schooldistrict.
Sarah (09:13):
One of the things I think is really cool about the vision
you have for the district isyou have so many innovative
programs that you just don't seein other school districts.
Talk about that for a minute.
Where do those come from?
Do they emerge from thecommunity itself?
Do you see a need in theworkforce?
Both end.
Dr. Shawn Smith (09:28):
Yeah, I'm not gonna take all the credit,
because there's been some greatinnovative leaders that have
certainly led our district priorto me.
I've been able to build on theexcellence that they've created
from the immersion program.
Our investment that we have incareer tech, with McKenzie being
one of the just premier CTEprograms, were vocational.
For those of you out thereDon't know what CTE is, I was
(09:51):
gonna ask you to explain Exactlyexactly.
And just really encouraginginnovation.
So it was really easy for me tolock in on that and really know
the history of the communityand just continue to build from
the excellence that they hadfrom the past.
Sarah (10:08):
So tell me about an initiative you're working on now
that you feel like really isunique to Lawrence Township.
Dr. Shawn Smith (10:15):
Oh my, we have so many.
Sarah (10:18):
I know it's like picking your favorite job.
It is, and.
Dr. Shawn Smith (10:19):
I have to go to the jugular and really I got
one A and one B.
If we're gonna talk about wherewe are right now, you gotta
talk about the two high schoolsat the same time, cause you're
not gonna find, sarah, as youwell know, in the state of
Indiana, really in the Midwest,a district with two large,
comprehensive high schools andattacking them both at the same
(10:41):
time.
Renovation of Lawrence Centraland Lawrence North High School
is probably one of the mostchallenging tasks that I've ever
had, because not only do wehave to renovate them, they have
to be equal and they have to bevery good, because both sides
of the community want excellence.
And so just taking on a projectthat large and if we look down,
I think, sarah, it's probablyright now one of the largest
(11:03):
school projects bar none in thestate of Indiana, I think you're
right has been a challenge.
But two years ago, after thepandemic, we really delve deep
into who we are as a communityand really taking a look at how
students are performing, and soour equitable student outcome
report that we put together,really diving into the success
(11:24):
of all students of all races andall backgrounds as an
institution.
How can we change who we are tomake students better and using
data looking at how we run ourorganization, created a heck of
a report.
You can go online and look atit and it's called our Equitable
Student Outcome Report.
It's a game changer because nowit's truly guiding everything
(11:46):
we're doing, from constructionto the day-to-day operations, to
even how we're hiring teachersand what we're teaching in our
district.
Sarah (11:55):
You've used competition in a positive way and a lot of
what we're talking about acompetition between being the
high schools both great and bothequal, taking a team and
raising the bar about where wecan be comparing to Pike.
Talk about that.
Talk about the nature ofcompetition and public education
.
Dr. Shawn Smith (12:14):
It's different because educators are wired to.
We're helpers, we don't take abusiness approach.
But we're having to changebecause competition is a way of
life now.
This whole talk about schoolchoice has really changed how
public schools approach theirmark today.
We didn't have thisconversation 34 years ago, but
(12:39):
today it's very much a part ofwho we are and what we do.
It's easy to jump on, because Iwork in a district where a lot
of people have a lot of pride intheir community.
They're winners, they've wonstate championships, they want
to be a competitive.
But it has really changed howwe are approaching our
day-to-day operation because wehave to market, we have to talk
about our excellence a lotdifferently than what we did
(13:01):
when I first started.
Sarah (13:03):
Do you think that spills over to the community?
Writ large it does.
Dr. Shawn Smith (13:06):
It does, I think, parents generally.
Today and I'm becoming an older, my kids are all adults now.
Parents are wired for that.
They want to know what do youdo?
Well, I have choices Good, badWhereas my parents woke up and
said the schools on 40th andCapital, that's where I expect
for you to go.
You better not be late.
You go to Broad River HighSchool.
(13:28):
Those people better not call meon the phone.
It's a little bit different.
People just approach everythingin our society today looking
through the lens of what's bestfor me, and so public schools
have had to adjust to that.
Sarah (13:41):
So one of the things about positive competition is
that you can set the standardand help bring along emerging
leaders, whether they work foryou or whether they work
anywhere else.
What's that look like in theeducational context of Central I
?
Dr. Shawn Smith (13:55):
think it's critical because we're at a
point coming out of the pandemic.
We begin to realize that we'rewe don't have enough people in
the profession and we'recertainly lacking the dedicated
leaders that we had years ago.
So what we're going to do iswe're going to set the standard
for each of those.
We're beginning to realize wehave to grow our own and really
encourage the younger generationto take our place.
(14:15):
And we have to do that becausewhat we do in education is so
profound.
I think we look at schools andwe look at a test score, a one
data piece, but education isdeeper rooted than test scores.
It's a way of life.
It's motivating and encouragingyoung people to do great things
(14:36):
, things that their parentsdon't even think about.
My oldest daughter is a medicaldoctor and I take credit for
feeding her, clothing and givingher everything we can, but I
didn't encourage her to become abiology major in college.
It was her ninth grade scienceteacher.
And so we go through thisjourney of life and there's so
(14:56):
many people that touch you.
But education has a lot to dowith that and we have to
acknowledge that and we have togrow that and cultivate it.
If we want great people in ourcommunity.
We want innovative people inour society.
We've got to invest in themthrough their education.
Sarah (15:12):
So no, that's a great point.
When I came home and told mymother I should be an architect,
she said what's an architect?
Because a teacher told me maybeI should look at doing that.
Thank you.
Dr. Shawn Smith (15:21):
Sarah, thank you for acknowledging that, and
we send that message to all theeducators, because that's why we
do what we do.
We certainly don't do it forthe money.
Sarah (15:31):
We do it because of the people part.
Dr. Shawn Smith (15:34):
We're people oriented.
Sarah (15:36):
Now I would be remiss.
You brought up the pandemic andI would be remiss if I did not
say you were the sole person Iknew during the pandemic who
woke up the next day when schoolwas not opening and still put
on your three piece suit andyour tie.
There's a reason that you didthat Right.
Talk about that.
Dr. Shawn Smith (15:55):
You know, in the middle of a crisis, we can't
lose the fact of who we are andwhat we do.
One of the things that I learnedfrom the pandemic is that we
needed one another andleadership had to go to a whole
nother level to keep people calmand focused, because I think it
took us maybe a week or two torealize we really need schools
open for all the above reasonsand various reasons for
(16:19):
different kids.
So I tried to maintain a senseof normalcy during a time of
crisis to keep people motivatedand encouraged, because at some
point we were gonna have to comeback to school and the kids
needed to be back in school.
So my team worked very hard tofigure out plans and ways that
we could get kids back inside ofschool and back to normal, and
(16:41):
it was challenging.
We got a lot of negativity Inever received bad notes out
there, folks, until the pandemiccame along from people because
of opening or closing school,but at the end of the day, it
wasn't about whether we wantedto open a closed school.
We needed to figure out what weneed to do for our children,
and so we just stayed focused onthat.
Sarah (17:01):
When you are modeling normalcy and the situation that
was not normal, when you'regetting up and putting on your
tie every day, whether on zoommeetings or not, what, what did
you do as a leader to stayEnterdice and ready for the next
day?
Dr. Shawn Smith (17:17):
as a leader, Well, let me tell you what's
there.
Zoom was not my friend.
I Was not a fan of it.
I'm a people person and I had tofigure out a way to get back in
the office and startInteracting with people and
people that I knew, because itwas not good enough for me to
have zoom meetings all day.
I Stay, I stay connected.
(17:38):
I talked to people on the phone.
I call folks and I tried tofind a way to to make sure all
of my people were okay.
But my ministries will tell youI had one meeting with all my
friends.
I had all my administratorsgive us 80 of us on zoom, and
that drove me crazy because Icouldn't get personal With all
80 of there.
I mean somebody talking.
I'm used to being in a roomwith them, and so we we ended
(18:01):
that and then I said I'm gonnatalk to each individual.
So I began to go around andtalk every day with a group of
principals, a group of mycentral office people, to make
sure that Everybody was fine,and so a phone call was my, my
poison.
It kept me going.
Sarah (18:15):
So you went back to building community?
Dr. Shawn Smith (18:17):
Yes, I'm back to build the team building your
community.
Sarah (18:19):
Yeah, let me talk to my people so what have you learned
from that lesson, aboutcommunication that you use now
and your day-to-day, and whatmakes you better leader now?
Dr. Shawn Smith (18:31):
I Think not to take it for granted.
I think sometimes, whenproblems come along or issues
were quick to point fingers orblame, and I Think there's never
enough communication withpeople.
I Use the power of the office,I use the power of walking and
visiting people.
I think sometimes we get caughtup with our cell phone,
(18:53):
pointing to my cell phone folksthat a quick tweet, a quick
email I know I've got Gen Xersthat I lead and they're they're
ill, they're having somethingpersonal, and they will email me
, a text me, and Immediatelythey'll get a call from me or my
sister saying come to my office.
Well, I'll be over to see you,because if you're ill and I'm
(19:15):
your leader and you leave one ofmy divisions or schools, that's
important to me I can't, aschool can't operate without the
principal, that's right.
So I you don't text or email me.
You're gonna see me, we'regonna talk, tell me what's going
on.
I need to see your facialexpression, I need to feel your
body language and how can Isupport you?
So I just believe in in orderto be a great servant leader is
(19:38):
you got it?
You got to be with people, okay.
Sarah (19:41):
Do you feel like the next generation of students is gonna
have a harder timeline?
Dr. Shawn Smith (19:46):
Yeah, they're gonna have a hard time with it
because we become so relying onour phones and the Texting and
the, the FaceTime that we'relosing human interaction.
Some of my best leadership withyoung people was Showing up
every day in the time shirt andshowing them being a role model
for them, mm-hmm, pointing outto them when they were doing
(20:07):
something wrong, encourage them,give them a high five, telling
the kid hey, I'm gonna beat yourfootball game tonight.
Run two touchdowns for me.
And the kid remember that.
And they run him and say, mrSmith, I can you see what I did
for you?
Yeah, you did that.
You don't get that through theinteraction of a, of a device.
And we got it.
We got to remember that thathumans need each other.
They need to interact with oneanother and encourage and
(20:28):
motivate.
Sarah (20:31):
So if you look back on the very beginning of your
career, to where you are now,what do you wish?
You would have known if youcould tell that young man oh.
Man if I could.
Dr. Shawn Smith (20:43):
I Think when I first started in education, I
and I still have this passiontoday that Teachers and
administrators can make adifference for kids.
As you move over, slide over tothe business side of it, that's
where it gets complicated.
If I could have what I'mdangerous today because I know a
lot and I still.
(21:04):
I don't think I'm that smarteither because I'm constantly
learning.
Okay, it's another message toleaders we don't know at all is
the business side of educatingchildren is a lot more enormous
than I knew at 22 years old andI came right into the profession
and it's enormous and I wish Iwould have known that at 22 and
(21:25):
I think most of my youngteachers and even some of my vet
veteran teachers don'tunderstand the gravity of
normity of the business side ofeducating kids.
It's huge.
Sarah (21:35):
What would you have done differently, had you known that
then?
Dr. Shawn Smith (21:37):
I probably would approach things at an
earlier age and really spoke outmore positively about the work
that teachers do.
The investment we make in youngpeople is priceless, but
there's cynics out there thatthink it doesn't make a
difference.
And it does make a difference,and I have countless number
examples of a public schoolturning a kid from zero to 10.
A public school taking a kidwho is now leading a major
(22:01):
corporation, and it was allinspired by one teacher.
But then we talk abouteducation in terms of numbers
and the business side of it, andif this kid doesn't achieve,
then this school is a goodschool and this is a bad school,
and I'm of the belief that allschools need to be good.
Every kid that attends a school, I don't care what type of
school it is they must havegreat experiences, they must
(22:23):
achieve.
These kids must graduatebecause they've got to take our
place as adults.
Sarah (22:27):
What happens if we don't do that, if we don't start to
value every kid?
Dr. Shawn Smith (22:32):
every school.
We're gonna see a divide inthis country like we've never
seen before and we're gonnawaste a lot of talent.
I just firmly believe that allchildren have gifts.
It's just what do we put intothem?
There is so much talent in theworld that we can't waste, and I
think humans and their naturalbeing is that.
(22:53):
Natural being is that they'rewired to do something, and so
what are we gonna do with them?
Right, what are we gonna dowith people?
We're worried about havingpeople work, or let's find young
people's talents and strengthand let them go at it.
That's why I'm always I'vealways been a motivator in their
courage.
When a kid comes to me and saythey've got a dream, I wanna
believe in it and then tell themhow to do it, but I don't
(23:16):
discourage them.
Sarah (23:17):
No matter what, it is no matter what.
Dr. Shawn Smith (23:18):
It is okay, unless they tell me they're just
not gonna do anything and siton mama dad's couch.
Sarah (23:23):
Well, that's not very good, that doesn't count, that's
not gonna happen.
Dr. Shawn Smith (23:26):
But I wanna encourage young people to do
great things and that's where wehave to be extremely careful of
saying good kid, bad kid, goodschool, good community.
It's about opportunities thatwe provide to young people.
Sarah (23:39):
No, I think that's right, and as you watch the debate
nationally and locally aboutwhat's our investment worth, I
mean I'd put the first dollartowards education, because
what's your other choice?
Dr. Shawn Smith (23:48):
What's the other choice for the kids?
Absolutely, and some kids arevery blessed from their home and
their environment.
Some are less than some don'thave that, and the one equalizer
is that we can get them insideof a place where adults really
care about them and hope for thebest for them.
Sarah (24:05):
School may be the only place that they got a smile and
a pat on the back.
Absolutely, absolutely.
That's worth something.
Dr. Shawn Smith (24:10):
Thank you guys.
Sarah (24:12):
All right.
So, as a leader, constantreflection on how we're doing
now, what we wish we could havedone better and what we wish
people will say about us someday.
So someday when you're donewith your leadership journey.
What do you hope people say Forme personally, for?
Dr. Shawn Smith (24:32):
me personally.
I just want to be known as aneducator.
You don't even have to call mea superintendent, former
principal.
All the things I've done is notjust no, that Dr Smith wasn't
educated.
He was a teacher.
He was a teacher of youngpeople and supported adults.
Nothing special, because Ithink that in itself is of great
respect and pride.
(24:52):
I prided myself on being ateacher and for the last 30 plus
years I've had a pluribus ofstaying in the profession and
really, truly, maybe you onlyhad a few days.
Most of the bad days have comeas superintendent, but I've
enjoyed every day.
Sarah (25:08):
So what do you do for your own health and wellness to
make sure that you keep enjoyingevery day?
Dr. Shawn Smith (25:12):
I'm at age now, where they tell you if you
don't do something right, and soI try to take care of myself.
Plenty of rest, and I have beenvery blessed.
I've had a beautiful family,friends, and I just try to enjoy
myself when I'm away from work.
I am a raster.
I like to rest, but I'm also abusybody, so I'm always reading
something, doing something, butat the same time, I know the
(25:35):
value of resting because I havea very demanding job.
Sometimes people ask what doyou do on Friday night?
Well, I have two high schools.
Somebody's got a gang andsomebody in the community wants
to see me, I want to talk tosomebody.
Plus, I just enjoy watchingkids be successful.
So when it's time to go home, Ido find time to rest.
Sarah (25:55):
That's good.
That's good, all right.
So I've got two final questions.
Yes, one just for you and onethat I ask everybody.
So tell me one of your mostinspiring stories.
I know it's like picking yourfavorite child working in
education.
What's a story you go back toas a touchstone of this is worth
it, right?
Dr. Shawn Smith (26:14):
I think the touchstones are when I hear the
voices of kids and I hear MrSmith or Dr Smith, and they will
say something that I said tothem years ago.
Like Mr Smith, you remember,you told me I could do this and
(26:38):
then I realized, oh my God, theylisten to what we say and how
we do it.
I'm a superintendent and one ofmy wonderful young men and his
daughter is an incredibleathlete for us.
He called me in.
The first thing he said wascoach, and I'm thinking, oh man,
I did coach you, marcus, and Ineed this and you can remember
(27:00):
everything.
Can you help me with this?
And this young man is 45 yearsold.
Then you realize, oh my God,what this is all about.
So those are my fondestmemories Is the young people
that I've worked with whoremember something, or
interacting with former studentswho now work for me.
(27:21):
They're teachers andadministrators, and that's what
it's all about.
Then you know, okay, we'redoing something right, okay.
Sarah (27:31):
All right.
So my last question what do yourecommend everybody pick up and
read?
Dr. Shawn Smith (27:36):
Oh my God, I am a well, I'm a former social
state, so anything that'shistorical.
I'm a voracious reader of thenewspapers and I do go online.
Now, dana, I do.
I don't have to have that, butalthough I do get a couple of
them tomorrow, I still like theIndie Star paper.
It comes in my office but Iread everything that's news, but
I have my habits.
(27:57):
I am a big fan of Henry LewisGates.
I love reading his books, butone of my all-time favorite
books is a book called Lincolnon Leadership, donald Phelps.
I have edition one, two andthree.
He's got three editions of it.
Anyone out there that's inleadership you need to read this
book on.
(28:18):
Who I believe is one of themost fascinating leaders in
American history is AbrahamLincoln, and I think every
leader can relate to him in someway or the other.
If you're a person out therewho has failed at everything
you've done, he's got youcovered.
But this book points to thequalities that Lincoln had.
(28:38):
In these essential qualitiesfrom character, integrity, being
able to speak and communicateare really helpful tips, and one
who is in leadership, and Ijust highly recommend it's an
easy read.
If you don't want to read thewhole thing, go to the back of
each chapter for those of youlike to cheat and read the
important points that they makeabout Lincoln's leadership, and
(29:03):
so I have something within myschool district called our
Teacher Leadership Academy.
We will celebrate our 10thcohort this fall.
It's my way of teaching.
My principals recommendteachers to want to become
leaders to be in my class andfor an entire year.
I teach them about leadership,and one of the cornerstones of
this program is each individualis required to read Lincoln on
(29:26):
leadership with me, and so Istill teach there.
Sarah (29:30):
Dr Smith, I always learn something when I spend some time
with you.
Thank you so much for takingthe time today.
Dr. Shawn Smith (29:35):
My pleasure.
Sarah (29:36):
This has been a great conversation.
I love hearing about LawrenceTownship and if you, all
listeners, want to learn moreabout Lawrence Township yourself
and progress in the district,visit LTSchoolsorg and see the
great work that's happeningthere.
Thanks for listening toLuminate navigating the unknown
through creative leadership.
We hope this episode hasinspired you, giving you some
new book to pick up and read,and supplied some valuable
(29:58):
insight into the world ofcreative leadership.
Don't forget to subscribe toour podcast wherever you get
your podcast, so you never missan episode, and we'd love to
hear your thoughts and feedback.
So feel free to reach out onFacebook, instagram, linkedin at
Schmidt Associates and onTwitter at Schmidt underscore a
source.
And until next time, keepnavigating the unknown with
creativity and confidence.
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