Her Story
About Rachael
Rachael Smith serves as secondary principal of grades 6 through 12 at Haworth Public School in Haworth, Oklahoma. She has dedicated 15 years to education, including 9 years in administration, where her expertise centers on building relationships with students and staff to foster investment and support. Smith earned her bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and her master's degree from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. She is currently enrolled in the University of Oklahoma College of Education doctoral program and holds superintendent certification. Her professional achievements include selection as an Oklahoma Principal Leadership Institute attendee and service on its executive committee. She maintains active memberships in the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals, where she serves on the executive committee, the Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Directors for their foundation, the Professional Oklahoma Educators Association, and the Idabel Kiwanis Club. Smith volunteers with the Hand-to-Hand food pantry and takes students to volunteer there as well.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachael
01What do you attribute your success to?
I am the only individual in my family with a college degree. That motivated me to get a college degree to begin with and to keep growing and learning. I don't have children of my own so I won't get to see if that cycle continues but I get to impact students who are just like me and influence them to become lifelong learners to influence them to get a college degree to break that cycle.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
No matter what you do, always keep the kids first. And do what is best for the kids. Because it's not You're not in education for the right reasons.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never get up from the table. You have a seat at that table for a reason. You do not have to ever get up from that. Because you earned that spot there, and to continue to work hard and Never quit.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The outside view on education. Sometimes there's so much controversy or negative outlooks on education from the outside that it even affects the inside, and you have to spend a great deal of time blocking out the outside or changing the outside's opinion.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion and empathy. Compassion, hardworking, determined. I want the teachers and the students to be just as determined to have success as I am.
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