LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tracy-Ann Smith was nominated by her principal, James Griffin.

Ms. Smith is the principal's secretary and office manager at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School. She is Griffin's right hand, and is almost like a principal's assistant to him. Ms. Smith has proven to be a transformative leader by playing active roles in grant writing, student mentoring, program conceptualization and implementation, academic tutoring, colleague mentoring, budgeting, fundraising, and anything else that needs to be done to keep the school running smoothly and ensure that the foundation for student achievement is firmly established.

Ms. Smith has been a key player in bringing in upwards of 1.5 million dollars of grant funding into her school. These grants have assisted with extending the school day and meeting student needs of remediation, acceleration and enrichment. Students have benefitted from increased exposure to marine biology, culinary arts, medical sciences, and so much more.

Additionally, Ms. Smith has worked closely with conceptualizing the College and Career Readiness Program. This involved working closely on the design committee to create pillars of the global economy industries within the school.  She worked hard to organize fundraisers and utilize limited budget funds to transform classrooms into innovative playgrounds that engage minds and passions, providing students with hands-on, real life experiences with the careers of today and tomorrow.

She has also worked hard to assist with the development of her school's Algebra U and Science U Programs. These programs have afforded students the opportunity to take high school algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus classes while in middle school, as well as biology, chemistry, and anatomy classes. Ms. Smith has worked with community leaders and strategically utilized budget funding to provide opportunities for student acceleration during the school year and summer.

"Ms. Smith groomed many of these uniquely qualified students for a dual enrollment program with a local university, affording them the opportunity to work on their high school diploma and Bachelor's simultaneously," Griffin said. "Thus far, up to 15 students have benefitted from a savings of approximately $500,000.00 on college tuition. Three of these student were personally mentored by Ms. Smith. This unique program has also eliminated many potential barriers to college attendance, contributing to a gradual rejuvenation of our community."

Ms. Smith has served as a motivational coach for challenged students, aiding them in broadening their outlook and making weekly social and academic goals. She has helped students connect to their passions and use them as a vehicle to accept the total educational package and thrive.

Ms. Smith has not only been the wind beneath the wings of students, but has also mentored instructional and non-instructional personnel, using her knowledge to aid them in navigating various operational systems and optimizing their potential. As a result, her talents have been recognized by her school district.  She was selected to serve as a peer consultant to all district bookkeepers/budgetkeepers when the district underwent a massive transition to a new purchasing and payroll system.  Most recently, Ms. Smith was selected as one of six district finalists for the School Related Employee of the Year Award.

"Ms. Smith has transformed the lives of students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators by her self-sacrificing contributions. As such, she can truly be termed an transformative LifeChanger," said Griffin.