Celebrating Claudia Lynn Smith's Illustrious Career and Welcoming Jody D. Alexander to Silver High School

Category: Community News Community News
Published: 03 May 2024 03 May 2024

This evening, we celebrate the illustrious career of Claudia Lynn Smith as she steps into retirement after over three decades of unwavering dedication to education. Claudia's journey began at Deming High School, where her leadership and passion for excellence set the stage for a storied career that culminated at Silver High School. 

Throughout her 31 years in education, Claudia has been a transformative figure, shaping the lives of thousands of students and educators. Her tenure as Assistant Principal and Principal was marked by her commitment to fostering an environment of growth and innovation. As a master classroom teacher, Claudia won local, state, and national awards, underscoring her prowess in classroom management and curriculum development. Her role as an instructional leader was pivotal, implementing programs like the National History Day at Deming High, which saw her students achieving national recognition year after year.

Claudia's influence also reached into athletic coaching, where she led teams to multiple district championships and was honored as Coach of the Year multiple times. Her leadership in various capacities, from organizing incredible graduation ceremonies to spearheading administrative initiatives, showcases her versatile and impactful approach to school leadership. Claudia has been a mentor, a visionary, and a beacon of knowledge, instilling a love for learning in her students and fostering a spirit of inquiry and excellence among her peers.  As we bid farewell to Claudia, we reflect on her profound impact on the Pride of Silver Schools. Her legacy is not just in the successes of her students, but also in the resilient and inclusive culture she nurtured at Silver High School. Claudia, your dedication and passion have enriched our lives, and your influence will resonate for generations to come.

As we wish well to Claudia in her next adventures in retirement, we are excited to welcome Jody D. Alexander as our new Principal.  We are excited to welcome Jody D. Alexander as the new Principal of Silver High School. Jody brings with her a rich and diverse background in education, spanning over two decades. She recently served as the Principal at Navajo Middle School in Navajo, NM, where she was instrumental in driving substantial improvements in student engagement and academic outcomes. Jody is close to completing her EdD in Educational Leadership/Instructional Leadership from the American College of Education, with a stellar academic record. Her robust educational foundation also includes a MEd in Educational Leadership, a MAE in Music Education, and a BM in Music Education, all from Western Kentucky University, which she completed with honors.

Throughout her career, Jody has demonstrated a profound commitment to enhancing educational systems. Recently at Navajo Middle School, she developed professional development programs tailored to site needs, significantly raised academic achievement through strategic initiatives, and fostered a culture of data-driven instructional improvement. As a Principal she developed systems for PLCs and successfully integrated instructional technologies to support foundational reading.

Her earlier experiences include being the Assistant Principal of Discipline at Lake Weir Middle School in Summerfield, FL, and Band Director and CTE Industry Certification Coordinator at Forest Hills High School at Marion County Public Schools for almost 20 years, showcasing her versatility and leadership in various educational settings. We are confident that Jody's extensive experience and dynamic approach to leadership will inspire excellence and innovation at Silver High School.

 Please join us in expressing our deep gratitude to Claudia for her years of dedicated service and in warmly welcoming Jody to her new role. We anticipate great things ahead under her leadership, continuing the legacy of excellence at Silver High School. #ThankYouClaudia #WelcomePrincipalAlexander #FightingColtsNation

William D. Hawkins
Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent

575-956-2000

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