Simpson County Schools

Shelina Smith, Chief Academic Officer for Simpson County Schools, is selected to the prestigious Kentucky Women in Education Leadership program. 

After a competitive application process, 24 female educators, including Shelina Smith, Chief Academic Officer for Simpson County Schools, have been selected for the 2019 cohort of the Kentucky Women in Education Leadership (KWEL). Applicants were chosen based on specific leadership criteria. These leaders, along with some of the state’s top female executive educators, will convene in Louisville for a leadership forum and induction ceremony.

KWEL is designed for women working in P-12 public education who are entering or advancing their careers. KWEL members will benefit from a support system, leadership development opportunities, career advancement, shared experiences through a network of on-going professional growth and development, coaching and mentoring, and reward and recognition of women who are exemplary leaders.

“KWEL is defining the future for women in public education while building on the foundation laid by the Kentucky Women in School Administration, which was KASA’s first women’s initiative in the 1980s and 1990s when few women held leadership positions in school districts,” said Rhonda Caldwell, Ed.D., KASA executive deputy director.

The KWEL forum, January 17-18, brings both experienced and aspiring leaders together for an extraordinary growth opportunity. Its purpose is three-fold. First, it will give women that are currently serving in an executive leadership role the opportunity to mentor other women aspiring to lead at the same level. Second, it will support women that aspire to lead but may need the confidence, courage and support to take the next step. Finally, this network can give all women serving in an executive leadership role an additional support system unique to the needs of women and the challenges they face.

“We are proud of Mrs. Smith for selection into this prestigious group,” said Dr. Jim Flynn, Superintendent of Simpson County Schools. “She is very qualified and deserving of this honor and we look forward to her bringing her learning experiences from this to share with others.” 

She is second Simpson County Schools participant in this leadership program as Dr. Milli McIntosh was a 2018 KWEL member.   


http://server.kasa.org/kasa/KASADocs/Press%20Releases/2018-19/KWEL%20News%20Release%20-%20with%20steering%20cmt.pdf