Women Who Lead Online Feature | Dr. Barbara J. Smith

Meet Dr. Barbara J. Smith

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The percentage of women CEOs more than doubled from about 2 percent in 2010 to over 5.5 percent in 2021 (CNBC.com). We still have work to do, but we stand together with women leaders, celebrating and honoring their accomplishments.

Today, we honor and celebrate Dr. Barbara J. Smith! #womenwholeadineducation

Who or what has influenced you as a leader?

Many people have influenced my growth as an educator/leader: Sharon Bradley and David Booth from the U. of Toronto; Wayne Somerville, from the Waterloo Board; colleagues who dare to do things differently: Tanisha Nugent-Chang; Tee Palmer; Stevie Cordova, Deana Kensler, Terence Carter; Emily Walton-Doris; Michelle Ruscitti-Miller; Diane Manica; Michael Carter; Jalen Rose; Tony Upson; Simon Smith; the Disney Institute; and all the student leaders I worked with in schools over the decades. Having an opportunity to build and open three schools played a key role, as well.

What one book would you recommend to a young woman beginning her leadership journey? Why?

Malcolm Gladwell - The Outliers. This book recognizes the value of ideas that are outside the norms of the status quo. As educators, we need to break through ceilings to make schools better for all students.

In your opinion, what are three barriers or challenges women in leadership are still facing today?

1. Dated practices and systems that are difficult to change. (fixed mindsets)

2. Lack of leadership opportunities in schools/systems.

3. Lack of funding and support for innovation and creativity in schools.

What is your "why"?

Why I entered the field of education-- to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Why I began writing about innovative ideas in education- - to share with others different approaches and outlier ideas for consideration.

Please share your WORDS OF GRATITUDE for women who have come before you.

The women who went before me who became some of the first school leaders - paved the way for women to be in school leadership roles and we all owe them our deep appreciation for removing barriers that were not in our way.

Please share your WORDS OF WISDOM for those young women who will come behind you.

As for words of wisdom, women in future leadership roles should think about how to increase autonomy for educators in schools; how to increase time for teachers to plan and design curricula; how to use their wisdom and creativity to make the profession one that is fulfilling and remarkable.

About Barbara J. Smith

Barbara J. Smith, Ph.D. is an innovative educator who has been involved in education for over four decades as a teacher, principal, teacher educator, school founder, and board member in public, international, independent, and charter schools. As a curriculum and school designer focused on critical and creative thinking, Smith is committed to school improvement, creative programming, and critical and creative thinking.

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