The Dougherty County Board of Education voted Monday to name Cheryl Johnson-Smith as the district’s Director of School Improvement.

Mrs. Johnson-Smith currently serves as the Dougherty County School System’s Coordinator of Instructional Improvement where she supervises district instructional support and works closely with the technology department to manage and support the district’s 1:1 initiative.

“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Smith said. “I can say with confidence that the culture of the district is anchored on student achievement and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with our teachers and staff to find new, innovative ways to help our students succeed.”

The Director of School Improvement coordinates programs and services for targeted schools while assisting principals and school leadership teams with developing strategies for improving learning for students. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of data analysis, instructional support services, professional development and the School Improvement Grant Implementation. 

Dr. Paulette Richmond, who will become the district’s Associate Superintendent for District Effectiveness on July 1, said that Mrs. Johnson-Smith was the best candidate for the position.

“Mrs. Johnson-Smith has the combination of skills and experience needed to do the work and deliver the results that the district expects. I look forward to working with her as we collectively move our staff, students and district to the next level. “ Dr. Richmond said.

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.

Mrs. Smith has a proven track record of working with district and school leaders to create comprehensive processes and protocols that are beneficial 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.