Administrator Spotlight:
Scott Smith
Principal, Western Yell County High School Scott Smith, Principal at Western Yell County High School, says his career in education began later than most. While he decided at 17 that he wanted to be a teacher and coach – inspired by his high school basketball coach, Buster Campell and his high school principal, Gale Yates – it wasn’t until later in life that he went back to get his bachelor’s degree. He says, “I was 31 when I started my first coaching and teaching job at Bruno Pyatt. My children were in 3rd grade and kindergarten my first year as a teacher.” He taught at Bruno Pyatt three years followed by one year of teaching social studies at Eureka Springs Middle School. The next leg of his journey took him to West Side Greers Ferry where he spent 9 great years, 7 of which were spent coaching boys’ basketball. "This is where my children graduated from as well," he says. Next, he went on to Armorel where he served four years as the high school principal, his first administrative job in schools. He is currently at Western Yell County where he is in his 8th year as the high school principal. Scott says when it comes to his favorite thing about being a principal, it's not even close: "It is coming in everyday and building relationships with the students and staff. I am in this just like all other educators are, for the kids. It is amazing to watch them grow and mature." If he wasn't in his current role, he says he'd still be coaching basketball, and believes he will always be involved in education in some capacity. "I feel like I should be serving students. I started late but, man, I know I am in the right profession. I might venture into being a superintendent but I love being a principal." Of his professional accomplishments, he says he is most proud of going back to school and earning his Master’s Degree, allowing him to further his dream and become a principal. "I hope I have affected young people’s lives for the better," he says. The most challenging part of the job for Scott is dealing with the administrative side of things. He says. ”I know the administrative things have to be done but I want to be out talking and interacting and building quality relationships, especially with students." He believes those considering a similar career must have a passion for helping young people. "It is not a profession that a person can just go through the motions. We are dealing with flesh and blood kids. Someone’s baby. I think it is important to know and respect that going in." Scott says with passion, the content mastery will come, and that education needs good, passionate people. "There are a lot of people leaving the profession and it needs to be replenished with good people. It is hard but to quote a line from A League of Their Own, 'The hard is what makes it great.'" The biggest change Scott has seen over the course of his career is the growing importance of high stakes summative assessments. "While it has always been important, the stakes have really been amped up and I don’t think it is for the best. Schools have to be held accountable for student learning. However, I think the way they are held accountable at the state and national level should be reevaluated especially as it pertains to testing." In his time off, Scott loves to spend time with his family, including his wife of 34 years, and especially his grandchildren. He says that like many Arkansans, he has a passion for watching Razorback sports, and that he also enjoys reading when he finds the time. As for his future goals, he says, "Even though I am in my fifties I would still like to write a book and do some educational consulting and presenting. They have both been goals for quite a while. I guess it is time I started making those things happen."
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