Dr. Tamara Thomas Smith has held various leadership positions in urban and suburban schools. Her first position as a substitute middle school teacher role ignited her passion for educational equity. Over time, Dr. Smith has served as a district-level administrator, instructional leader, and teacher in various pre-kindergarten through high school configurations.

Specifically, Dr. Smith worked as the Chester Upland School District Deputy Superintendent. She also held principal positions at Russell H. Conwell Middle Magnet School, Sheridan West Academy Middle School, and Leslie P. Hill Elementary School. A Philadelphia native, Dr. Smith is a graduate of the Friends’ Central School. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from La Salle University; a Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education from Arcadia University; a Master of Education Degree in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from Saint Joseph’s University (Dissertation: Race, Pedagogy & Practice…). 

Dr. Smith resides in Lower Merion Township and is a married mother of four. One of her proudest accomplishments was serving as the principal of the elementary school she attended as a student.