Stephanie P. Smith
Lecanto
Summary
Dynamic English Department Head at Lecanto High School with a proven track record in curriculum development and instructional leadership. Achieved a 90% pass rate for IB students while fostering critical thinking and collaboration among faculty. Skilled in data analysis and performance tracking, driving student success through innovative teaching strategies.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
English Department Head
Lecanto High School
Lecanto
01.2024 - Current
- Lead department meetings and coordinate curriculum alignment across AP, IB, and general English courses
- Mentored instructional staff and liaised between faculty and school administration to enhance communication and support
- Ensured adherence to Florida Standards and IB/AP frameworks, promoting high-quality curriculum delivery across the department
English Teacher — AP, IB & General Education
Lecanto High School
Lecanto
08.2020 - Current
- Earned highly effective performance ratings in all evaluated years, reflecting commitment to student learning.
- Delivered diverse curriculum across AP and IB courses, tracking student performance on AP/IB exams to inform instruction.
- Instructed 10th Honors English, IB Language & Lit SL, AP Language & Composition, fostering critical thinking and analysis skills.
- IB SL: 90% pass
- 2022–23: IB Language & Lit SL, AP Literature & Composition, Intensive Reading
- IB SL: 90% pass
- 2023–24: IB Language & Literature HL & SL
- IB HL: 100% pass
- IB SL: 90% pass
- 2024–25: AP Literature, IB Language & Lit HL & SL Yr 1, Theory of Knowledge Yr 1
- IB HL: 100% pass
- 2025–26: AP Literature, IB Language & Literature HL & SL, Theory of Knowledge Yr 2, EE Coordinator
Aspiring Leadership Program — Participant
Citrus County School District
08.2025 - 04.2026
- Facilitated district cohort program for instructional personnel pursuing assistant principal and leadership roles, enhancing professional development pathways.
- Collaborated with multiple district departments to gain cross-functional administrative insight and foster relationships with fellow emerging leaders across the county.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with a diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
IB Extended Essay Coordinator
Lecanto High School
Lecanto
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Managed Extended Essay process for all IB Diploma candidates, guiding students through research and writing stages
- Collaborated with supervisors to ensure adherence to IB Organization standards and provide support for student success
- Coordinated schedules and activities for student events and programs.
- Managed communication between staff, students, and parents effectively.
- Organized training sessions for new staff on school policies and procedures.
Head Varsity Golf Coach
Lecanto High School
Lecanto
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Guided varsity golf program to FHSAA State Competition during all three coaching seasons
- Cultivated student-athletes' skills, sportsmanship, and competitive mindset, fostering personal and athletic growth
- Designed training programs to enhance student skills and performance in golf.
- Conducted individual and group lessons focusing on technique and strategy improvement.
- Organized practice sessions to ensure effective use of time and resources.
English Teacher — 8th Grade
Inverness Middle School
Inverness
08.2017 - 01.2020
- Provided targeted 8th grade ELA instruction aligned with Florida Standards, fostering student comprehension and critical thinking skills
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to enhance English language skills.
- Developed engaging lesson plans for diverse student learning styles.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment to encourage student participation.
- Secured highly effective rating for three consecutive years, reflecting consistent instructional quality and student engagement
Classroom Teacher — Grades 2 & 3
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
Inverness
08.2012 - 01.2017
- Implemented 2nd grade curriculum during 2016–2017 school year, fostering student engagement and learning
- Coached Odyssey of the Mind Team (2014–2017), guiding students in creative problem-solving and teamwork
- 4-Star Teacher-Author on Teachers Pay Teachers: FSA-aligned units, interactive notebooks, close reads, anchor charts, task cards
- Created annual school theme graphics (2012–2017) and designed Safety Patrol T-shirts for Washington trip, enhancing school spirit
- 3rd Grade: 2012–13 (Effective)
- 2013–14 through 2015–16 (Highly Effective)
Long-Term Substitute — 2nd Grade
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
01.2012 - 05.2012
- Implemented daily instruction and lesson plans aligned with Sunshine State Standards to promote student engagement and learning
- Executed daily operational tasks with precision in a fast-paced environment.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Student Teacher — 2nd Grade
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
02.2011 - 05.2011
- Developed lesson plans using The Daily 5 and CAFÉ strategies
- Collaborated with cooperating teacher to design and implement effective classroom strategies
- Engaged with mentor to refine teaching techniques and enhance student learning experiences.
- Practicum: 100 hours across Forest Ridge Elementary & The Villages Charter School
Substitute Teacher
Citrus County School District
09.2010 - 01.2011
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ12-2024
Master of Education - Curriculum & Instruction
University of Phoenix
12-2024
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ05-2011
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Instructional leadership
- Curriculum mapping
- Standard adherence
- Performance tracking
- Data analysis
- Classroom management
Florida Educator Licensure
- English (6–12), Regular/Professional, 07/01/22, 06/30/27
- ESOL, Regular/Professional, 07/01/22, 06/30/27
- Middle Grades English, Regular/Professional, 07/01/22, 06/30/27
- Reading Endorsement, Regular/Professional, 07/01/22, 06/30/27
- Elementary Education K–6, Regular/Professional, 07/01/22, 06/30/27
Professional Development Training
- AP Language & Composition Summer Institute Certificate, 06/01/22
- AP Literature & Composition Summer Institute, 06/01/23
- IB Language & Literature FLibs Training, 06/01/23
- IB Global Training, 06/01/25
- IB Extended Essay Coordinator Training, 12/01/25
- IB AI Instruction & Practices, 02/01/26
- Florida BEST Standards Training, 06/01/25
- FDOE Annual Literacy Institute, 06/01/25
- Anastasia Writing Trainings, 06/01/25
- Florida Standards Tools Training / MAFs & LAFs, 06/01/25
- Digital Learning Days 1 & 2, 06/01/25
- Mimio Technology Training, 06/01/25
- Science Summit Presenter, 06/01/25
Personal Information
Title: Educator Curriculum Leader Aspiring Educational Leader
References
- Lynne Kirby, ESE Director, Citrus County Schools, (352) 637-4400
- Rob Herman, Assistant Principal, Citrus Springs Middle School, (352) 637-4400
- Jennifer Hetland, Principal, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, (352) 637-4400
- Gina Atkin, Title 1 Reading, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, (352) 637-4400
Additional Qualifications
- Grant Writing: Authored grants to fund real-world learning experiences that extend classroom instruction; IB Language & Literature students attended the Dalí Museum and Cirque du Soleil's Drawn to Life, using these experiences to deepen analysis strategies and directly inform IB assessments.
- Data Analysis: FastBridge and Citrus Assessment data to drive differentiated instruction and intervention.
- Instructional Coaching: Mentored colleagues in AP/IB best practices, writing instruction, and technology integration.
- Curriculum Development: Growth Mindset unit, Interactive Read Aloud & Novel Studies, Interactive Notebooks.
- Technology Staff Training: Led numerous school and district-based technology trainings including student engagement & choice strategies, Canvas LMS, and Canva for Education.
- AI Fluency: Proficient in Microsoft Copilot, Notion, NotebookLM, Research Rabbit, and Claude — applied across instruction, curriculum planning, and professional workflows.
- Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and related programs.
- Additional Technology: Mimio
- TurningPoint Anywhere
- Kahoot
- Plickers
- IPad Apps.
- College & Career Readiness: Guided IB senior students through FAFSA, scholarship applications, college essays, and the full college application process as an integrated component of the Theory of Knowledge curriculum.
- Graphic Design & Fine Arts: Fundamentals of Graphic Design, Photoshop, Prezi, Animation Drawing (International Academy of Design & Technology).
- Small Group Instruction: Reading and Math.
Leadership Experience
- English Department Head, Lecanto High School, 04/01/24, Present, Lecanto, FL
- IB Extended Essay Coordinator, Lecanto High School, 04/01/25, 04/01/26, Lecanto, FL
- Aspiring Leadership Program — Participant, Citrus County School District, 08/01/25, 04/01/26
- Head Varsity Golf Coach, Lecanto High School, 04/01/21, 04/01/24, Lecanto, FL
Timeline
Aspiring Leadership Program — Participant
Citrus County School District
08.2025 - 04.2026
IB Extended Essay Coordinator
Lecanto High School
01.2025 - 01.2026
English Department Head
Lecanto High School
01.2024 - Current
Head Varsity Golf Coach
Lecanto High School
01.2021 - 01.2024
English Teacher — AP, IB & General Education
Lecanto High School
08.2020 - Current
English Teacher — 8th Grade
Inverness Middle School
08.2017 - 01.2020
Classroom Teacher — Grades 2 & 3
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
08.2012 - 01.2017
Long-Term Substitute — 2nd Grade
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
01.2012 - 05.2012
Student Teacher — 2nd Grade
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
02.2011 - 05.2011
Substitute Teacher
Citrus County School District
09.2010 - 01.2011
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix
Master of Education - Curriculum & Instruction
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix