Steve Smith Joins College of Education Faculty

VALDOSTA — Dr. Ernest Steven Smith, 60, dedicated a decade of his life to leading the administrators, faculty, staff, and students of the Lowndes County School System as superintendent. Now the Macon native serves as a member of the Valdosta State University James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education faculty.

“I love teaching,” said the Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology temporary assistant professor, “and it gives me the opportunity to share knowledge and experienced gained over 40 years in education.”

Smith earned an Associate of Arts in psychology in 1972 from Macon State College before transferring to Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville where he earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology in 1973, a Master of Education in social and behavioral science education in 1983, a Master of Education in educational administration in 1988, and an Education Specialist in educational administration in 1993. In 2001, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in educational administration and supervision from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Prior to moving to Valdosta, leading the Lowndes County School System, and joining the VSU team, Smith served as superintendent of the Pulaski County School System in Hawkinsville; teacher, coach, assistant principal, lead assistant principal, and then principal of Central High School in Macon; teacher and coach at First Presbyterian Day School in Macon and Clark Central High School in Athens; and education and national sales representative for the 3M Company. He has facilitated more than 50 professional presentations and has been published more than a dozen times.

During the fall semester, Smith is teaching LEAD 7420: Ethical and Legal Issues for Leadership and LEAD 8030: School Culture, Change, and Organizational Dynamics. His areas of professional research include leadership and teamwork, negotiating change, and school culture. He is affiliated with the American Association of School Administrators, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Lambda Theta, Georgia School Superintendents Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, and Georgia Association of Educational Leaders.

Smith and his wife, Linda, have two sons, Brian and Michael. He enjoys playing the guitar, golf, travel, photography, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Contact Dr. Ernest Steven Smith at (229) 249-4925 or essmith@valdosta.edu to learn more. His office is located in the Special Education and Communication Disorders Building, Room 246.