Dr. Andrew Smith was recently named Assistant State Superintendent for Innovation at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  In his role, he supports the development of innovative educational practices across North Carolina while overseeing the departments research and evaluation, promising practices, charter schools, and learning recovery and acceleration.  Previously, Andrew served as the Chief Administrative and Strategic Planning Officer in Rowan-Salisbury Schools.  In his role, he was responsible for rethinking education and developing transformative practices within the organization through the strategic planning process.  Andrew also managed the process for bringing the district’s unique Renewal Legislation to fruition.  Previously, Andrew served as the Assistant Superintendent of Transformation and Chief Strategy Officer.  As Assistant Superintendent and CSO, Andrew assisted the superintendent in developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining district strategic initiatives, as well as, fostering collaborative efforts with internal and external stakeholders. Andrew has also served as the Director of Innovation in the district.  Outside of K-12 education, Andrew is an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University where he teaches courses on power, politics, and policy.  Andrew has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Wake Forest University he taught instructional design, assessment, and technology.

Andrew received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Wake Forest University with degrees in biology and secondary education.  More recently, Andrew earned his doctorate at Johns Hopkins University in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education.  Before entering administration, Andrew taught biology and forensics.  Andrew and his wife, Rachel, are North Carolina natives and have four cute young kiddos Noah (7), Landon (4), Ellie Jane (1), and Baby Smith (Due in June 2023).  In his free time, Andrew is a pilot and flips foreclosed homes.