Longtime Maryland educator Dr. Jack Smith has been named Chief Academic Officer for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The Maryland State Board of Education approved his appointment today.
Dr. Smith will provide leadership, guidance, administration, and supervision to MSDE’s continued efforts to strengthen student academic performance. He comes to MSDE from Calvert County, where he has spent the past seven years as Superintendent of Schools. He is the current Maryland Superintendent of the Year.
“Jack Smith has built his career working to improve learning and increase student achievement,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery. “He helped build the outstanding schools of Calvert County, as a superintendent, administrator, and principal. Nobody is more qualified to lead our efforts to strengthen every classroom in Maryland.”
Beginning his career as a teacher and administrator in Washington State, Dr. Smith later spent five years as a principal in Japan. In Calvert County, Smith spent time as a middle school principal, director of curriculum, and deputy superintendent before being named superintendent.
During his tenure in Calvert County, the system dramatically increased the number of students involved in AP and other rigorous academic programs. The system enhanced and modernized many of its Career and Technology Education programs, and led the planning and implementation of significant advances in the system’s middle and high school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs.
Dr. Smith holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Washington University, and a doctorate in instructional leadership from Notre Dame of Maryland University.
