Each month we'll be featuring school board members in an effort to learn more about the wonderful individuals serving on our boards!

Rhonda Smith joined the Boaz school board in 2014 in search of a way to give back to her community. She has earned Master Level in the School Board Member Academy and served on the both the AASB Bylaws and FRN Committees.

Read below to learn more about Rhonda!

Q: What is your current occupation?

A: I am a dyslexia consultant/certified academic language therapist and dyslexia instructor for Dyslexia Resource Center in Baton Rouge.

Q: What inspired you to join the school board?

A:  Education has always been a part of my life, and I was looking for a way to give back to my community. The school board was a great match where I could use my education and skills, plus I wanted an opportunity to be involved in  making sure that all students had a chance to have academic success whether they chose the college path or the career path after high school.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a school board member?

A: My favorite part about being a school board member is the opportunity that it has given me to meet and learn from other school board members, state and local stakeholders, and to be able to see the success of our district up close and personal.

Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned since becoming a board member?

A: One thing I have learned since becoming a board member is that becoming the best school district for our community is a process. It takes planning, commitment, and patience to get to the goals established.

Q: Is there anything you are particularly proud of accomplishing as a board member (i.e., new initiatives or special projects…)?

A: One thing as a board that we strive to do is have something extracurricular or academic that our students can connect with. Over the last several years we have strengthened our Ag department, career tech department but also added archery at the elementary level, soccer at the high school level along with a fishing team.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would share with an incoming board member?

A: One piece of advice for incoming board members is when deciding anything for your district always ask yourself, “is it what is best for our students/district.”

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: Reading, enjoying the beach or poolside and Alabama football.

Q: Is there a fun or interesting fact you would like to share about yourself?

A: Not sure it is a fun or interesting fact, but I always wanted to live in a city with a “concrete yard." But here I am living my best life on family land (100 acres) looking at cows from my back porch and living in a great small community for over 25 years!

Q: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote you can share with us?

A: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” - Maya Angelou

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