Principal's Corner

MONICA
I hope this message finds you refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for a new and exciting school year. We are gladly awaiting the return of our students on August 15, 2022. Our dedicated staff is preparing to provide an array of engaging and challenging experiences for all students that puts them all in a confident position to be agents of positive change in our community. In keeping with our district’s mission: “To ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levels” as well as our district’s core values:
• Every student
• Relentless equity
• Unconditional belonging
• Collective excellence
• Courageous learning
• Community greatness
Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy is a campus committed to facilitating growth in all of its students, academically, socially, emotionally, and artistically.
Our staff understands the crucial role that we play in educating the whole student. Rita Pearson said it best, “students can’t learn from people they don’t like”. No one can learn at their highest level if they do not feel valued, respected safe and secure. Our staff will continue to work daily to ensure that our students are learning at high levels.
Resilience, will be a part of our school culture and climate, along with building relationships, collaboration, communication and accountability. We will Engage, Equip and Empower our students to become successful!
I am Monica Smith and I am truly humbled to be the instructional leader for Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy. I truly believe that working with students is my ministry. I have a passion for working with youth, parents and teachers to ensure that our scholars are well-rounded, critical thinkers who can compete with anyone, anywhere and at any time. I began my career in education in 1994 as a math instructor. I bring a wealth of knowledge to this position. I have served in many roles: Math Teacher, Elementary Counselor, High School Counselor, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Math Curriculum Supervisor for PreK-12, Director of Data and Governance, and Principal. My philosophy of leadership in public schools involves three basic principles; All students can learn; we must teach them how they learn. Relationships are important, rules without relationships leads to rebellion. Lastly, communication, collaboration and feedback are essential. I have acquired valuable experience as an instructional leader. I have had the opportunity to work directly with teachers, students, staff, parents, and other community stakeholders from various school districts. Those experiences have allowed me to enhance and build upon the skills that I already have to be an effective administrator. In collaboration with the Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy, I will continue to make decisions that are best for students to ensure student success. I am truly looking forward to this upcoming year and all of the amazing goals we will accomplish. More importantly, I am look forward to working with our students and moving them to heights that our students can’t even imagine.
Personally, I have two beautiful adult children. One is currently pursuing his master’s degree and working as an offensive line football coach, the other will be finishing her last semester at Prairie View A&M University this upcoming fall. I am an active member of both Mount Tabor Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, dancing, roller skating and working out.