The Dougherty County Board of Education has voted to name Cheryl Johnson-Smith as the district’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Smith currently serves as the Dougherty County School System’s Director of School Improvement where she provides leadership and support to schools within the district through data analysis, the development of a system of instructional supports and professional learning for teachers and leaders. She also works closely with principals through the School Improvement Grant Program to ensure compliance and student and staff support.

In her new role, Smith will coordinate the efforts of the district’s primary and secondary content coordinators and oversee all aspects of curriculum development and implementation across all district schools.

Dr. Ufot Inyang, Associate Superintendent for Academic Services, said he’s excited to bring Smith’s knowledge of the Dougherty County School System and its operations to bear on his team.

“Mrs. Smith will be a tremendous asset to the district in the curriculum director role. In addition to her broad experience as a career educator, she is intimately familiar with our schools, our teachers and leaders and has a track record of being an advocate for student achievement,” Inyang said. “I’m glad to have her on our team.”

Mrs. Johnson-Smith is a native of Albany and a 1993 graduate of Dougherty Comprehensive High School.

Before returning to Dougherty County to serve as an instructional data specialist, she worked for nearly twenty years in the field of education as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, dean of education, and school improvement specialist in Duval, Clayton, and Sumter counties and the Georgia Department of Education, respectively.

Mrs. Smith has a proven track record of working with district and school leaders to create comprehensive processes and protocols that are effective in increasing teacher effectiveness, student performance, graduation rates, and overall College and Career Readiness Performance Index, or CCRPI, scores.

Currently, Mrs. Johnson-Smith holds certifications in Early Childhood Education and Educational Leadership. She is currently in the final stages of completing her Doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership.

Cheryl and her husband, Corey, have four children and one granddaughter.