Dr. Rotasha Smith has spent the past two decades educating and enriching children in Conroe ISD. The Huntsville native shares her lifelong desire to pursue education, encouraging words for young teachers, and the impact she’s been able to have in her career.
Where did you grow up and what were some of your hobbies?
I was born and raised right there in Huntsville, Texas. I’m a proud graduate of Huntsville High School, Class of ‘96. I was into gymnastics when I was younger and started taking lessons in 1st grade. I decided I wanted to follow in my sister’s footsteps and be a cheerleader. So, I cheered at Mance Park Junior High, where I spent my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade years, then went on to Huntsville High School and also cheered there. Also, one of my best friend’s grandma was Faye Burns who owned Faye Burns Dance Studio in Huntsville, where I took and taught dance lessons. In high school, I knew I wanted to teach and thought, “Why not just stay home and go to Sam Houston State University?” And that’s exactly what I did.
Was the desire to go into education something you felt at an early age?
Yes, it was my 8th grade year, and I had Mr. Lang for math and thought, “You know what? I really like math.” Not that I didn’t like math before, but I just fell in love with it. I remember thinking I really liked the way Mr. Lang was getting the information to us and how he involved a lot of real-world stuff. I wanted to be like Mr. Lang when I grew up and teach junior high math. Then in high school, my Algebra 2 teacher, Mrs. Neville, really sealed the deal for me.
Can you take me through your career up to this point?
Being a proud Huntsville High School graduate, I wanted to be there and teach forever, because I love my community, and my family is still there. But God had a different plan for me, and Huntsville did not have any openings in December of 2000. So, I got a job teaching math in Conroe ISD at Washington Junior High. I was there for eight years and taught math for most of it, but for a couple years I was an Academic Achievement Specialist, so like a campus coach. During all that, I went back to instructional school and got my master’s in math education at Sam Houston State. I really enjoyed the instructional coaching capacity on my campus, but then took an interest in possibly becoming an assistant principal. I felt like I was able to impact a lot of kids right there in my classroom, but thought as an assistant principal, my reach would be greater. So, I completed a certification program and became an assistant principal at Conroe High School. Then I became associate principal of operations here at Conroe High School. During that time, I worked under Dr. Curtis Null and was always looking for ways to grow as a leader, and that’s something he really helped me with. So, when the position at Peet Junior High came open, I interviewed for it and got the position. In 2018, when I was preparing for my 5th year at Peet Junior High, I got a phone call that Conroe High School was going to have an opening. I became interim principal here and was in that capacity for a couple months before officially becoming principal in October of that year. That’s what I’m doing right now, and I absolutely love serving our kids and our Conroe community.
What does your day-to-day consist of?
It is different every single day. The only thing that is consistent on my schedule is car-rider duty in the morning and afternoon. So, I get to smile and wave and greet our students, and I know that unless I am off-campus or have a meeting first thing in the morning, I know right away that is what I get to do. One thing I try to make sure of, that I learned from Dr. Null, is being visible and taking care of the students and staff. So I’m out in the hallways, and I try to get into classrooms to see what’s going on.
It sounds like you really enjoy the impact you can have on students and the community. Would you say that is your favorite part of being principal?
Yes, but also preparing students for the next step. I enjoyed teaching and being principal at the junior high, but being able to prepare students for the end result–whether it be college, the workforce, or the military–is special. Not only preparing them, but watching them walk across that stage knowing they’re ready for the next step.
What challenges would you say you face regularly?
I think the biggest one is how creative we have to be to make sure we meet the needs of every single student. We have some students whose families are ready to step in and help in any way they can. Then we have some who, when they leave school, it is the last thing on their minds, because they have to go to work to put a meal on their family’s table. All our students have different needs, so we try to make sure we’re doing everything we can to ensure they’re successful. That’s one of the things I’ll say about my staff–they are so incredibly compassionate when it comes to that, because they know all our students need different things.
What’s changed in education since you started, because of COVID-19 or otherwise?
I feel like, even before Covid, what’s changed for students and staff is just access to resources. Back when I was in the classroom, technology was a resource for teachers, but not as much for students. But then as I grew in my instructional leadership role and assistant principal, we had this technology we could put in the classrooms to enhance what the kids were getting. That’s the biggest thing — students are able to access their content or lessons anytime, anywhere.
What encouraging words or advice would you give young teachers who may be just starting out as COVID-19 is becoming the new reality in classrooms?
There is plenty of support. I can’t speak for other districts, but I would hope this statement would be true for all districts. There is plenty of support for you, both at the campus level and the district level. I feel like teaching is a calling, and you do it for a reason. Again, the responsibility is great, but the reward is so much greater. When someone asks, “What is it I can do for you?” don’t be afraid to tell them, “This is what I need.” If I’m not able to check in with teachers, I try to check in with department chairs and team-leads to figure out what I can do to help. Never forget why you decided to go into education.
When Dr. Smith isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the gym, often with her husband. She feels very blessed to have an incredible husband and son, and to be enjoying the career she hoped for when she graduated from Sam Houston State University 21 years ago.
