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From Hearing Loss to Reshaping Math and Science Education: Meet Angelique Smith
In honor of STEM Month, we are proud to feature Angelique L. Smith, EdS, award-winning national and international PreK-12 educator, leader, and advocate with over three decades of experience in STEM education, school improvement, and curriculum development..
Tell us about your journey:
My journey has been shaped by resilience, advocacy, and a deep commitment to educational equity. Growing up in the South during integration with a unique hearing loss, I developed a strong sense of perseverance and a passion for ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all students.
Professionally, I have spent over 35 years in education as a math teacher, principal, principal coach, school effectiveness specialist, district math coordinator, and leadership consultant. My work spans Georgia, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New York, and internationally in the deserts of Abu Dhabi, UAE, with a focus on STEM education, continuous improvement, and leadership development.
I earned my Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics and computer science from Savannah State University (SSU), the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Savannah, Georgia, founded in 1860.
My foundation in STEM was strengthened through this education. Additionally, I hold three graduate degrees in mathematics education. Currently, I am an Education Leadership Doctoral Student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where I am refining my ability to lead system-wide educational transformation.
I served as the Chief STEM Innovation Officer at The Ọmọladé Academy, a public charter school in Appleton, Wisconsin. In this role, I led a team of consultants to design and implement culturally responsive STEM curricula. We developed strategies that connect math and science education with real-world, project-based learning, ensuring that all students see themselves in STEM fields and develop critical thinking skills.
Previously, I was:
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The District Math Coordinator for DeKalb County Schools in Metro Atlanta, leading district-wide mathematics initiatives to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
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A School Effectiveness Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education, where I worked in rural Georgia coaching school leaders and leadership teams in Title I schools. My focus was on turning around low-performing schools by providing technical assistance, leadership development, and evidence-based strategies. My schools successfully exited the state's Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) list based on student achievement gains on the Georgia Milestones and CCRPI reports.
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A principal coach and consultant, leading school turnaround efforts, equity-focused initiatives, and culturally relevant instructional practices at the school and district levels in the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
My journey has reinforced my belief that education must be intentional, inclusive, and culturally affirming. My ultimate goal is to lead at the district or organizational level to ensure high-quality, equity-driven education for all students.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
Several key experiences have shaped my career and leadership philosophy:
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Serving as a School Effectiveness Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education in rural Georgia allowed me to work directly with school leadership teams to improve instructional quality, data-driven decision-making, and teacher effectiveness. Seeing under-resourced schools make significant gains reaffirmed my belief in the power of strategic leadership and evidence-based intervention.
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Being the District Math Coordinator for DeKalb County Schools gave me the opportunity to lead large-scale math initiatives, supporting educators in implementing data-driven, research-based instruction that improved student achievement.
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My time as a school principal and principal coach reinforced the importance of building strong teams, fostering growth mindsets, and using evidence to drive decision-making.
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Leading in Abu Dhabi as an Academic Vice Principal provided me with a global perspective on bilingual education, policy alignment, and cross-cultural leadership.
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Navigating my own educational experience with hearing loss has made me a strong advocate for accessibility, differentiated instruction, and inclusive practices in STEM education.
These experiences have reinforced my commitment to leading change through innovation, cultural responsiveness, and strategic collaboration.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?
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Develop both instructional and leadership expertise. My experience as a math teacher, math coordinator, and principal provided a strong foundation for leading at the district and policy levels.
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Learn to lead teams effectively. Whether coaching principals or managing a team of STEM consultants, strong leadership empowers others and builds collective capacity.
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Stay data-driven. Data is essential for making informed decisions and tracking progress in STEM and leadership.
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Build a network of mentors and collaborators. The best leaders surround themselves with diverse perspectives and expertise to drive innovation.
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Love what you do beyond measurable outcomes.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
My inner child drives me to make a difference. I am the shy, sweet Black girl who suffered in silence due to a hearing loss that was not discovered until her teenage years. So many educators, mentors, family members, and friends have made a difference in my life that I am now in an incredible position to make a substantial difference in the lives of others.
If you could go back and advise your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self:
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Your unique experiences are your strength. Having a hearing loss made me more resilient and deepened my commitment to equity and accessibility. I would remind her that it is not where or how you begin but your commitment to yourself and trust in the journey that are most important.
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Continue to take risks and step into leadership opportunities. The most significant growth happens outside your comfort zone. Build strong teams and trust the expertise of others. Leadership isn’t about doing it all alone but about empowering others.
How can GlobalMindED support STEM leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
GlobalMindED can support leaders like me by:
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Providing platforms for STEM equity leaders to share best practices and scale culturally responsive STEM education models.
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Supporting the development of mentorship programs that connect emerging STEM leaders with seasoned professionals.
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Investing in culturally relevant STEM initiatives to ensure students from underrepresented backgrounds have access to high-quality, inclusive math and science education.
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Advocating for policy changes that promote diversity in STEM leadership, ensuring that district- and national-level STEM policies reflect the needs of all learners.
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Bridging connections between educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to create sustainable STEM pipelines for historically marginalized students.
As an educator, STEM leader, advocate, and consultant, I am committed to ensuring that math, science, and technology education are equitable, inclusive, and globally competitive. With the right support, we can drive systemic change and expand STEM opportunities for all students.
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