Moultrie, Ga. (April 25, 2025) – Ja'Net Smith, assistant principal at R.B. Wright Elementary in Moultrie, Georgia, has been named the 2025 National Outstanding Assistant Principal by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals (GAESP). Ms. Smith will be honored at the Georgia Elementary Principals Fall Conference in October at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia.
"Ms. Smith’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence is clearly evident in her impactful leadership at R.B. Wright Elementary," said Hal Beaver, Executive Director of GAESP. "She intentionally cultivates team-building experiences that not only strengthen professional relationships but also foster a school culture rooted in collaboration, mutual support, and trust— empowering both teachers and staff to thrive."
Beaver added, “Assistant principals commit their lives to educational excellence and serving children. They are uniquely dedicated individuals who rarely receive the kind of public recognition they deserve.”
Ms. Smith has been the Assistant Principal of R.B. Wright since July 2022, working with Principal Summer Hall. Smith earned her BSW in Social Work from Albany State University, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University, and an Education Specialist from Albany State University. Her previous roles have been as an elementary teacher and academic coach.
Summer Hall, principal of R.B. Wright Elementary School, stated, “Since Ms. Smith joined RBW, the school has seen remarkable growth in student achievement, with content mastery and reading scores improving by more than 15 points. Her unwavering commitment to student success is matched by her ability to build strong, trusting relationships that create a true family atmosphere within our school community.”
Anita Spradley, STEAM Lab Teacher at R.B. Wright Elementary, wrote, “Ja’Net Smith is a pillar of leadership at R.B. Wright Elementary school. She has made an indelible mark as an assistant principal. Her leadership style, characterized by leading through example, has been a beacon of inspiration and motivation for both staff and students.”
The National Outstanding Assistant Principals Program is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).
Ms. Smith will receive complimentary registration to the National Conference in Seattle, Washington, this summer and will be honored at the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals Fall Conference in Athens, Georgia.
The National Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level administrators who ensure America’s children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Established in 1984, the program recognizes and celebrates principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for the students, families, and staff in their learning communities. The program is based on three fundamental ideas:
• Children’s attitudes towards learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners are established in the beginning school years.
• The scope and quality of children’s educational experiences are determined primarily by the school principal, who establishes, through the important work of teachers and the support of caring parents, the character of a particular school's program.
• The dedication and enthusiasm of the outstanding principals who guide children's early education experiences should be acknowledged to both show appreciation for their work as well as to allow them to serve as models for others in the field.