Elaine L. Smith-Bright, EdD
550 Legacy Court, Unit 41, Norwalk, Iowa 50211
515-249-0200
EDUCATION
1999 Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Degree: Doctor of Education
1993 Iowa state University, Ames, Iowa
Degree: C.A.S. Superintendent’s Endorsement
1980 City University, London, England
Study Tour: Classes at university, Observations in Schools
1972Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Degree: Bachelor of Science – Elementary Education, Special Education
1966Colorado State College, Greeley, Colorado
Undergraduate work – Laboratory School
EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Professor, Educational Leadership and Private Consultant
Drake University - 2016 – Present
Classes and independent courses
Hiring consultant for school administrative positions
Strategic planning for organizations
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership
Drake University – 2006 – 2016
Teaching graduate level courses
Coordinating clinical programs
Writing curriculum for graduate courses
Advising student cohorts
Serving on doctoral committees
Director of Professional Development
School Administrators of Iowa – 1999 – 2006
Designing and presenting leadership seminars for administrators
Supporting schools in implementation of improvement initiative
Structuring SAI’s Annual Conference for 2000 participants
Reviewing resumes and credentials for aspiring administrators
Writing grants for innovative leadership programs
Experience Continued
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
West Des Moines Community Schools 1997-1999
Providing leadership and problem solving for 1200 employees
Delivering staff development training
Acting chief negotiator for classified staff
Carry responsibility for Level I investigator
Making decisions on graduate programs of study for advancement
Overseeing new Teacher Mentor Program
Principal, Grades 7-8, Indian Hills Junior High school
West Des Moines Community Schools – 1993 – 1997
Providing Leadership for 650 students and 65 faculty
Structuring a shared decision-making team
Facilitating a Parent Advisory Committee
Converting curriculum and schedule to middle school concept
Monitoring and enhancing student achievement
Establishing school-business partnerships
Principal, Grades 6-8, Norwalk Middle School
Norwalk Community Schools – 1983 – 1993
Providing leadership for 450 students and 35 faculty
Overseeing progress of new building addition
Implementing interdisciplinary teaching teams
Establishing a Parent Advisory Committee
Accounting for line-item budget
Supporting building-wide staff development
Honors
2005 - Distinguished Alumni Award 1997 – Scottish Rite Fellowship Award
Drake UniversityDoctoral Studies ($2,500)
1996 – IDEA Academy of Fellows 1993 – National Milken Educator Award
Distinguished EducatorStipend ($25,000)
Professional Associations
National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Iowa Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Drake University Alumni
Pi Delta Gamma
Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Delta Kappa
State, Area, and Grant Committees
Iowa ASCD Executive Board – Higher Ed Committee Representative
Design and support staff development for increased student achievement
Contemporary School Leadership (AEAs) – Steering Committee Member
On-going program to provide monthly leadership experiences for educators
Breaking Ranks II/Focus on High School (DE, NASSP) – Framing Committee Member
Presentation structure, community conversations and statewide summit
Lighthouse Study (IASB) – Core Committee Member
Support for five pilot districts to foster a positive impact on student achievement
Leadership Initiative (DE) – Sub Committee Chair
Establishing and reviewing Iowa Standards for School Leaders
Attracting, Recruiting, & Retaining Quality Administrators (IEL, IASB, SAI) – Co-Chair
Development and on-going support focused on superintendent evaluation
Iowa Evaluator Training Grant (AEAs, UNI, DE, SAI) – Guiding Member
Statewide training for administrators on teacher evaluation ($600,000)
Mentoring and Induction Grant (AEAs, DE, ISU, SAI) – Director
One on one mentoring for administrators new to their position ($350,000)
Virtual Academy (IPTV) – Guiding Member
Establishment of on-line courses for high schools
Redesign of Success 4 (DE, Adelman & Taylor, UCLA) – Stakeholder Member
Designing a statewide system of learning supports
Public Charter Schools (DE) – Core Member
Federal grant dollars allotted for innovative schooling designs
Leadership Academy (Wallace Foundation) - Co-Designer
Planning and implementing statewide academy for administrators
Iowa Professional Development Model (DE, Joyce Showers) – Core member
Designing and guiding Iowa’s Comprehensive Professional Development Model
Iowa Superintendents’ Finance and Leadership Consortium (IEL) – Advisory Council
Assess professional development classes
E-portfolio (Carver Foundation, IU, Cedar Rapids Schools)
Policy input on use of portfolios for progress on Iowa’s Teaching Standards
Activities and Presentations
2016-2018 Commission on Continuing Legal Education, Iowa Courts
2008-2017Advocacy Training for Educators, IASCD
2015-2017 Grundmeyer Search Firm, Consultant
2014-2015IASCD Fall Conference, Leader
2011-2012Teacher Evaluation Task Force, DE
2011-2012Think Tank on Global Education, Harvard
2009-2010Fierce Conversations Training
2009-2010Learning and the Brain Conference & Presentation, Stanford
2007-2008 Aspiring Administrators Workshop, Leader
2007-2008Women in Leadership Seminar, AEA 11 & Drake, Director
2007-2008Successful Schools Institute, Drake, Guiding Consultant
2005-2006Balanced Leadership Trainer, DE
2003-2004AEA 15 & 16 Leadership Seminar, Facilitator
2003-2004Superintendents’ Workshop, Values Based Budgeting, Facilitator
2002-2003 IASB Effective Schools Conference, Presenter
2002-2003Urban Education Network Collaboration, Focus on the High School
2001-2002Systems thinking in Action Conference, Atlanta
2001-2002Professional Development Leadership Academy, Director
2001-2002Iowa Council of Professors of Education Administration, Facilitator
References
Lou Howell, Executive DirectorTrent Grundmeyer, Assistant Professor
Iowa ASCD Drake University
2555 Pine Circle2507 University Ave
Urbandale. Iowa 50322Des Moines, Iowa 50311
515-229-4781515-205-9987
Annette Liggett, Major ProfessorSandy Tryon, Executive Director of HR
Drake University, RetiredDes Moines Area Community College
606 Francis Street2006 Ankeny Boulevard
Key West, Florida 33041Ankeny, Iowa 50021
305-293-8075515-249-4537