As noted in previous posts, Black administrators don’t get promoted into “board” positions often enough, and when they are any good at moving the needle, they’re often gone soon after. Felicia Cummins Smith is one of many examples we wanted to share with you, in her own words:
From: Smith, Felicia C. <felicia.smith2@jefferson.kyschools.us>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2020 7:07 PM
To: Smith, Felicia C. <felicia.smith2@jefferson.kyschools.us>
Subject: A Final Note
Dear JCPS Colleagues,
As I clean out my email, I’ve decided to share one last message before I make my transition.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent time talking with my family and a few very close
colleagues about this decision. Stepping away from JCPS and the role of the assistant
superintendent of Teaching and Learning is the right decision for me at this time. As the late
Representative John Lewis so eloquently stated in his final words, “Though I am gone, I urge
you to answer the highest calling of your heart…”, I, too, am asking each of you to answer your
calling for doing what is best for kids.
The work I’ve been engaged in has been extremely meaningful and I believe has made an
impact on the overall transformation for the system turnaround underway. I leave the
district celebrating the team assembled in the Teaching and Learning departments and the
tremendous work we’ve been able to accomplish in a more collaborative way than when I
arrived. Thankfully, I can leave feeling encouraged that there are people in positions, now,
exhibiting courageous leadership in support of students, teachers, leaders, families, and the
community. Our reach has been exponential in spite of the stressors on the system impacting
how we get the work accomplished within a district of this size. I am extremely proud of the
contributions from the T&L departments and look back on the work positively knowing we’ve
helped to disrupt the status quo for improving student learning outcomes. There’s been a
complete revisioning of the AIC role and professional learning which has helped solidify a
focus on teaching and learning in every building. Additionally, I’ve had the good fortune to
work across departments with every hope to influence and shape HOW we do our work
together, differently. The resources, partnerships, and just-in-time support to schools has
changed the face of this department building greater confidence in what students and
teachers experience. I am grateful to the T&L leadership team and support staff in my office
for staying focused on what matters most…teaching and learning are the CORE business of a
school system.
With that said, it would be negligent of me to ignore the challenges I have personally faced
but also those of my department while trying to make even greater change happen.
Accelerating the learning outcomes systematically for students across the district will
continue to be dependent on expanding access and opportunities for students but also for the
adults in the system. In order to do so, mind sets and practices have to shift.
Silos still exist and genuine collaboration with colleagues is not as pervasive as one would
hope. What I have come to realize and what has been confirmed over time, is it’s critical that
everyone see themselves as a part of the culture aiming to create anew rather than
perpetuating old behaviors that will keep the district bound to practices that have not helped
change the educational trajectories of our most vulnerable students. The success of JCPS is
not contingent on needing more resources, it’s contingent on how work gets accomplished for
students and how valued individuals feel in making contributions to the ambitious vision set
forth by the JCPS BoE.
The friendships and partnerships formed have led to worthwhile work and have continued to
shape my thoughts and beliefs about urban education and how systemic change occurs. The
support I received within the district and across the state as a finalist for the Kentucky
Commissioner position was heart-warming and I believe allowed me the chance to speak to
the good things happening in JCPS as one model. However, there’s still so much more work to
be done. I’ve challenged my team to dig even deeper during this time of transition and
uncertainty to lead with passion, empathy, grit and perseverance. While we were able to
prove to be nimble as a system in the spring; even greater challenges lie ahead to address
equitable learning experiences for the 98,000+ students. Partnerships underway with the
community acknowledge that the system can not do it alone. I’ve continued to challenge my
team to form strategic partnerships and lean in to different ways to engage with the
community more than ever before. I want to encourage everyone to embody the
characteristics of a learning organization and apply lessons learned, quickly. A learning
organization is one that thrives in times like this.
In closing, I appreciate the opportunity to work with Dr. Pollio and his Cabinet. I hope these
parting words mean something and create a lasting call to action for continuous
improvement. As I turn the page to a new chapter in my life, I look forward to any future
opportunities to partner. The education circles beyond the district, state, and across the
nation are far smaller than one would think. It’s also why I believe it’s important to be kind to
one another because you don’t know when (and in what capacity) you’ll see each other again.
With that, I say…be well, best wishes, and please continue to make decisions with the best
interest of learners in mind.
Sincerely,
Felicia C. Smith, Ed.D.
Another variation:
Dear Edwards Family,
As I clean out my email, I’ve decided to share one last message before I make my
transition. Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent time talking with my family and a
few very close colleagues about this decision. Stepping away from JCPS and the
role of the assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning is the right
decision for me at this time. As the late Representative John Lewis so eloquently
stated in his final words, “Though I am gone, I urge you to answer the highest
calling of your heart…”, I, too, am asking each of you to answer your calling for
doing what is best for kids.
The work I’ve been engaged in has been extremely meaningful and I believe has
made an impact on the overall transformation for the system turnaround
underway. I leave the district celebrating the team assembled in the Teaching
and Learning departments and the tremendous work we’ve been able to
accomplish in a more collaborative way than when I arrived. Thankfully, I can
leave feeling encouraged that there are people in positions, now, exhibiting
courageous leadership in support of students, teachers, leaders, families, and the
community. Our reach has been exponential in spite of the stressors on the
system impacting how we get the work accomplished within a district of this
size. I am extremely proud of the contributions from the T&L departments and
look back on the work positively knowing we’ve helped to disrupt the status quo
for improving student learning outcomes. There’s been a complete revisioning of
the AIC role and professional learning which has helped solidify a focus on
teaching and learning in every building. Additionally, I’ve had the good fortune to
work across departments with every hope to influence and shape HOW we do
our work together, differently. The resources, partnerships, and just-in-time
support to schools has changed the face of this department building greater
confidence in what students and teachers experience. I am grateful to the T&L
leadership team and support staff in my office for staying focused on what
matters most…teaching and learning are the CORE business of a school system.
With that said, it would be negligent of me to ignore the challenges I have
personally faced but also those of my department while trying to make even
greater change happen. Accelerating the learning outcomes systematically for
students across the district will continue to be dependent on expanding access
and opportunities for students but also for the adults in the system. In order to
do so, mind sets and practices have to shift.
Silos still exist and genuine collaboration with colleagues is not as pervasive as
one would hope. What I have come to realize and what has been confirmed over
time, is it’s critical that everyone see themselves as a part of the culture aiming to
create anew rather than perpetuating old behaviors that will keep the district
bound to practices that have not helped change the educational trajectories of
our most vulnerable students. The success of JCPS is not contingent on needing
more resources, it’s contingent on how work gets accomplished for students and
how valued individuals feel in making contributions to the ambitious vision set
forth by the JCPS BoE.
The friendships and partnerships formed have led to worthwhile work and have
continued to shape my thoughts and beliefs about urban education and how
systemic change occurs. The support I received within the district and across the
state as a finalist for the Kentucky Commissioner position was heart-warming
and I believe allowed me the chance to speak to the good things happening in
JCPS as one model. However, there’s still so much more work to be done. I’ve
challenged my team to dig even deeper during this time of transition and
uncertainty to lead with passion, empathy, grit and perseverance. While we were
able to prove to be nimble as a system in the spring; even greater challenges lie
ahead to address equitable learning experiences for the 98,000+ students.
Partnerships underway with the community acknowledge that the system can
not do it alone. I’ve continued to challenge my team to form strategic
partnerships and lean in to different ways to engage with the community more
than ever before. I want to encourage everyone to embody the characteristics of
a learning organization and apply lessons learned, quickly. A learning
organization is one that thrives in times like this.
In closing, I appreciate the opportunity to work with Dr. Pollio and his Cabinet. I
hope these parting words mean something and create a lasting call to action for
continuous improvement. As I turn the page to a new chapter in my life, I look
forward to any future opportunities to partner. The education circles beyond the
district, state, and across the nation are far smaller than one would think. It’s also
why I believe it’s important to be kind to one another because you don’t know
when (and in what capacity) you’ll see each other again.
With that, I say…be well, best wishes, and please continue to make decisions with
the best interest of learners in mind.
Sincerely,
Felicia C. Smith, Ed.D.
