Melissa L. Smith is an accomplished educational leader with nearly three decades of experience in urban education. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Learning and Teaching for the Allentown School District, where she leads curriculum implementation and professional development across schools.
Previously, Melissa served as the district’s Executive Director of School Improvement and Compliance, where she advanced equity through monitoring school improvement plans, analyzing student data and ensuring compliance with ESSA and state mandates. Her earlier leadership roles include Director of Grants, overseeing federal funding and program compliance, and Director of Literacy, where she guided curriculum and assessment development in literacy and social studies.
Melissa began her career as a classroom teacher in Allentown, later serving as an elementary principal and assistant principal. Her work has consistently focused on improving instructional practices, supporting educators and closing achievement gaps for students.
She holds a Master of Education in Special Education and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from East Stroudsburg University, as well as K-12 Principal and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certifications from Lehigh University.