Dr. Adrian Ford and Hollie Smith begin their new positions in July
By Juliann Morris
June 16, 2023–Two Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) principals have been promoted to new leadership roles in the district’s middle school and elementary school offices.
Dr. Adrian Ford is the new executive administrator (EA) for elementary zone 3, and Hollie Smith is the new executive administrator for middle schools.
EAs serve as principal leaders, coaches, and supports for the building leaders within their zones.
DR. ADRIAN FORD NAMED EA OF ELEMENTARY ZONE 3
Ford steps into her new role with extensive experience as an elementary school leader. She has served as Smyrna Elementary School’s principal since 2018 and also held the principal role at Laukhuf Elementary School from 2007 to 2015.
“I look forward to creating and implementing the vision for Zone 3 along with our Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Rosenthal,” Ford said. “I am passionate about supporting principals, schools and creating environments to support all learners. This year will bring a lot of change, but I look forward to the opportunity to assist principals and schools through the transition.”
In her more than 25 years as an educator, Ford has also served as the JCPS Director of Family Resource Youth Services Centers, a member of the Highly Skilled Educators Program with the Kentucky Department of Education, and as a teacher at Waller-Williams Environmental and Wheatley Elementary Schools.
Jessica Rosenthal, incoming assistant superintendent of elementary schools, Zone 3, said Dr. Ford is committed to ensuring that principals, students, and families of Zone 3 have the information and resources they need to be successful. With more than 13 years experience as an elementary principal at two different schools, she brings a unique, long-range perspective that will benefit principals.
“Dr. Ford’s work as an educator has always been about using her gifts and talents to ensure that all students have what they need in order to perform at high academic levels and grow into adults who care about others and about society as a whole,” Rosenthal said. “By moving into the executive administrator role, Dr. Ford will have the opportunity to extend her positive impact on a broader scale for the benefit of JCPS and Zone 3 schools.”
Ford holds a Doctor of Education from Spalding University, a superintendent certification from Eastern Kentucky University, principal certification from Western Kentucky University, and a master’s degree in elementary reading and a bachelor’s degree in early elementary education (K-5) learning and behavioral disorders (K-12), both from the University of Louisville.
HOLLIE SMITH NAMED EA OF MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Smith steps into her new executive administrator role with more than 12 years of experience in education, most recently serving as principal at Western Middle School for the Arts (WMSFA).
“I am very excited to step into the role of executive administrator of middle schools with Jefferson County Public Schools,” Smith said. “As EA, I will continue to be a champion for all middle school students, families, and educators, encompassing the values of Jefferson County Public School and continue my journey as a standard bearer for equity, academics, and achievements in all of our middle schools.”
Smith joined JCPS in 2015 as the district Title I component specialist. She became an associate principal at George Unseld Early Childhood in 2016 before taking the assistant principal job at WMSFA in 2019. She was promoted to principal at WMSFA in 2021. Prior to coming to JCPS, Smith worked as an educator in Tennessee.
Smith earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Christian Brothers University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Louisville. She also earned her professional certificate for instructional leadership (principal endorsement) from Christian Brothers University.
Dr. Rob Fulk, assistant superintendent of middle schools, called Smith a “dynamic leader with the disposition to coach those around her to success.”
While Smith was principal at WMSFA, all areas improved: academic scores, attendance, and student and community survey results, Fulk said.
“Ms. Smith brings a skillset to the table of achieving results for students, a great disposition, and a desire to streamline the work for principals so that their focus remains solely on student outcomes,” Fulk said. “We were impressed with her work with transitioning WMSFA to a full magnet, racial equity, and her knowledge working with, and improving upon policies and procedures…She brings the ability to affect change into this role.”