Nicole Smith always knew she wanted to be an educator and began her career as an educator teaching her stuffed animals. Ms. Smith joined E.L Haynes in 2017 from the College Success Foundation DC where she had oversight for 9 years over the Achievers Scholarship Program in Wards 7 and 8. She is no stranger to Haynes as she joined the community in 2005 as a parent when it first opened on top of the CVS building. Prior to her work at Haynes, she served as principal of the Philadelphia YouthBuild Public Charter School, acting principal and Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the bilingual LAYC YouthBuild Public Charter School, and the Director of Education at Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR). Ms. Smith is originally from Philadelphia, PA and is a first generation college student. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her Master’s degree in Urban Education from Temple University.