LaFredrick Smith, born and raised in College Station, Texas, is an educational leader who is committed to leading and teaching in the name of love.  

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Mr. Smith believes that building positive & long-lasting relationships with students and teachers is the key to successful schools. His goal each year is to ensure that his students and teachers will have a unique experience that will never leave their hearts.  

 

Education is Mr. Smith's passion! He has demonstrated this passion throughout his career by serving in the positions of 4th-grade self-contained teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal, and principal resident. Mr. Smith is known for having a great balance of building a positive culture while also holding others accountable to high expectations. He always states "this is more than my career, this is my ministry." 

 

Mr. Smith has had the honor to be awarded and recognized as the Rookie Teacher of the Year (2015), Parents Choice Teacher of the Year (2016), Who’s Who in Black Houston – Educators - Real Time Media (2016), Prairie View A&M University 40 under Forty Alumni (2017), the Apple Educators Appreciation Award (2017), Houston's Top Teachers - Local Houston Magazine (2018) and Local Spotlight - Vogue Magazine (2019).

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Mr. Smith is a member of the Brazos Valley Alliance of Black School Educators, the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Teacher & Quality Retention Program. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Eta Rho Sigma Chapter, where he serves on the executive leadership board as Director of Education. 

 

Mr. Smith received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Prairie View A&M University, his master's degree in curriculum & instruction from Houston Baptist University, and his principal certification from Lamar University. He is currently pursuing his Ed.D in Executive Educational Leadership and Superintendent Certification from Houston Baptist University. His dissertation topic is "Lead in the Name of Love: Principal Preparation in Leading Effective Schools through Positive School Culture."