Dr. Ryan D. Smith has over 20 years of experience as an education leader, having served in various school and district roles. He is currently the Deputy Superintendent of the Bellflower Unified School District. Previously, he served as the Superintendent of the Monrovia Unified School District, the Assistant Superintendent of the Paramount Unified School District, and a high school principal. Given these experiences, it should be no surprise that Smith is skilled in areas such as strategic planning, communications, labor relations, budgeting, and school safety.
Dr. Smith’s accolades speak volumes about his commitment to excellence, including recognition for outstanding PBIS implementation and AP program excellence. When he was principal at Norwalk High School, he was also named “Site Administrator of the Year.” His collaborative approach to leadership, coupled with a keen focus on student outcomes, has earned him accolades from peers and community members alike.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
What makes the work of an executive cabinet member of a public school district so exciting is that there really is no such thing as a typical day. Whether it’s visiting school sites to observe teaching and learning in action, assisting parents or community members with an issue, or serving the members of a school board, every day is different and there is usually a surprise or two. I have found that flexibility is the key to making each day productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I like to invest time in researching a new idea to determine if it has been attempted elsewhere as well as its rewards and costs before bringing it to a broader group of stakeholders. I certainly don’t mind if an idea is truly innovative or different and has never been done elsewhere. Either way, I think it’s critical to engage a group of stakeholders who will be the most impacted by an idea or will be the ones implementing it, including students. Key questions I like to ask during this process are, “How will this impact students for the better?,” “How does this idea improve upon what we are doing now?,” and “Will this new idea lead to greater outcomes?”
What’s one trend that excites you?
I think the impact that Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI, is having on education is an exciting trend. There is so much potential for its use to improve outcomes for students, enhance teaching and learning, and increase productivity for its users. I also think its application can help to further personalize teaching and learning for students, something that I think will be a game changer.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is my daily practice of setting clear priorities. Each morning, I review my calendar and identify key tasks for the day. By using a combination of digital tools and a physical planner, I ensure that I allocate focused time blocks for high-priority projects and meetings. This structured approach helps me stay organized and efficient, enabling me to effectively manage my responsibilities and support our district’s goals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
As you move into leadership roles in education, be sure to build your professional network. Not only will you learn a lot from your colleagues, but you will also find that they will be there for you to lean on if you ever go through difficult times.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Most traditional public educators aren’t particularly supportive of charter schools. While I understand their concerns, I see charter schools as an important part of the public education landscape. Much of the true innovation in schools is happening in charter schools, so I feel like there is a lot that traditional school and district leaders can learn from them to better serve students.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I always try to visit school sites as frequently as possible to visit principals, teachers, and staff, and to observe teaching and learning. I think that this is so important for a district leader to do. It’s impossible to be an effective leader from behind a desk at the district office.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I like to take a walk, even if it’s just a short one. The steps are good for my overall health, but I find that walking helps to clear my mind and refocus me. I also like to walk with colleagues as we talk through an issue or a challenge.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has significantly helped me advance in my career is actively seeking out opportunities to ask questions and learn from others. Early in my career, I made it a point to connect with experienced colleagues and mentors, asking thoughtful questions to gain insights into their experiences and approaches. This habit has allowed me to continuously learn and grow, gaining new perspectives and knowledge that have informed my decision-making and leadership style.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When I served as assistant superintendent, I led the implementation of an innovative approach to teaching mathematics that blended coding with Algebra 1 and Geometry. While the work was impressive and groundbreaking, and the teachers’ efforts were commendable, I didn’t do enough to create buy-in and support from all stakeholders, including students and parents, to make the initiative more successful and sustainable. Additionally, I wish I had invested more in the teams involved by providing them with more time and reducing their workload.
From this experience, I learned the critical importance of stakeholder engagement and the necessity of building broad-based support for new initiatives. I also realized the need to invest more in the teams driving such projects, ensuring they have the resources and time required to succeed. This has shaped my approach to leadership, emphasizing the value of collaboration, communication, and support for sustainable success.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
In California, even though the law allows a school district to offer tenure to a teacher upon hiring who has earned it in another district, it is not done very often. Doing this could help a district attract experienced teachers to their schools, something that is very important for all students, but especially those who are underserved and underrepresented. This would also be helpful for filling positions that are traditionally challenging, like advanced math or science. I’m working on an article for my website – www.ryandsmithedd.com – that explores this topic.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me be productive is ChatGPT. I use ChatGPT for drafting documents, brainstorming ideas, and getting quick answers to complex questions. For instance, when I’m preparing reports or presentations, I can use ChatGPT to generate initial drafts or outline key points, saving me significant time. Additionally, ChatGPT assists me in researching topics, providing summaries of information, and even suggesting improvements for written content. This tool has become an invaluable part of my workflow, enhancing my efficiency and enabling me to focus on high-priority tasks.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that has provided me with tremendous value is George Couros’ The Innovator’s Mindset. This book has been instrumental in shaping my approach to education, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity and innovation in schools. Couros’ insights on empowering students and educators to take risks and embrace change have been particularly impactful. I’m excited that George Couros will be speaking with our teachers and staff in Bellflower Unified School District this fall, thanks to our Interim Superintendent’s arrangement and the Board of Education’s support.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed “The Bear” on FX. It’s truly one of the best television programs I’ve ever watched. The show goes beyond the story of a family-owned restaurant in Chicago, perfectly capturing the dynamics of a typical family, the competitiveness of the tough restaurant business, and the importance of facing setbacks and challenges together. I can’t wait for season two to start soon.
Key learnings
- Flexibility and Adaptability: As an executive cabinet member of a public school district, the ability to remain flexible and adapt to daily surprises and challenges is crucial for productivity and effective leadership.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Successful implementation of new ideas and initiatives requires thorough research, stakeholder engagement, and building broad-based support, emphasizing the impact on students and continuous improvement.
- Continuous Learning and Innovation: Actively seeking out opportunities to ask questions, learn from others, and embrace innovative trends, such as generative AI, is an essential strategy for professional growth and improving educational outcomes.
- Collaboration and Support: Effective leadership involves frequent visits to school sites, building strong relationships with principals, teachers, and staff, and ensuring teams have the necessary resources and time to succeed.