KIPP Nashville Public Schools
Donna J Smith has a diverse work experience spanning various roles and organizations. Donna J is currently working as the Director of Teacher Residency at KIPP Nashville Public Schools since June 2023. Prior to this, they served as the Principal for grades 3-5 at East End Prep from June 2019 to June 2023. Donna J was also the Principal for Pre-K to 5th grade at Tunica County School District from June 2014 to May 2019. Furthermore, Donna worked at Shelby County Schools as a PLC Coach from May 2011 to May 2014, and as a Teacher from June 2007 to May 2011. Donna J began their career as a Teacher at Jackson Public School Systems from May 2004 to May 2007. Prior to their career in education, they worked as a Strategic Sourcing Specialist at Trustmark Bank from May 1999 to May 2004.
Donna J Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree in an unspecified field of study from Belhaven University in 2003. Donna J went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from the same institution in 2005. In 2013, Donna completed an Educational Specialist Degree in School Leadership at Freed-Hardeman University.
KIPP Nashville Public Schools
KIPP Nashville is a network of high-performing, free public charter schools educating students in grades K-12 across East, North and South Nashville. KIPP Nashville is partnered with the acclaimed KIPP Network, which serves more than 180,000 students nationwide and graduates students from educationally underserved communities at 4x higher than that of their peers. KIPP Nashville currently operates seven schools in Nashville. We are proud to have our schools recognized as Tennessee Reward Schools and as Level 5 schools for top growth in Davidson County. Our high school alumni graduate college at nearly 2X the rate of their Nashville peers, and are supported by our unique KIPP Forward program. Our mission is that together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our Vision is that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. If you share in this belief, if you have a proven willingness to do whatever it takes for students to achieve, if you thrive in an environment that is both collaborative and entrepreneurial, then you are already a KIPP teacher.