The 2018 Wakefield 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal Announcement
The Wakefield Independence Day Committee is proud and happy to announce the Grand Marshal for the 2018 Fourth of July Parade. The honor this year goes to retiring Wakefield Schools Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Smith.
Dr. Smith was born and raised in Norwood MA. Her parents have had a positive influence on her life and have helped shaped her into the teacher and leader that she is today. Her father was a strong, kind, generous man who appreciated many of the simple things in life. Her mother is artistic and creative, filled with youthful enthusiasm. She encouraged Dr. Smith and her three siblings to be courageous leaders, not followers, through positive reinforcement, love, empathy and compassion. Dr. Smith says that she has “aspired all of my life to be like both of my parents and have learned a great deal from each of them.”
Even at a young age, Dr. Smith knew she wanted to be a teacher. She says that the only thing she need to figure out, was what subject to teach. It was during her involvement with the band program while attending Norwood High School that Dr. Smith decided that music was her calling. She wanted the opportunity to provide students with the same wonderful experience as a member of the band that she had. In 1983 she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Right out of college, Dr. Smith taught as the middle school band director for Norwood, keeping her eyes out for the high school opening that she was most interested in. After a few years in Norwood, she went for an interview with Dr. Stephen Maio at Wakefield High School. Dr. Smith says that she was “immediately enamored with Lake Quannapowitt and the feel of the town.”
In 1986, Dr. Smith began her long and very successful career in Wakefield. She was the band director at the high school for eighteen years. She directed the Concert Bands, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra and other ensembles. During her time as director, the band grew in size and quality, becoming one of the biggest and best in the region. She says that she and her students “worked hard, performed well, and had a lot of fun doing both!” The awards the band received during her tenure are a testament to her hard work and love of teaching. Her fondest memories of being the band director are the rehearsals in the band room and at Landrigan Field, getting to know her students and their families. And building relationships with students and colleagues that have lasted through the years.
For a period of 15 years, the WHS Marching Band and Jazz Band were perennial Gold Medal winners at the MA state festivals. The Wind Ensemble’s Gold Medal in 2004 led to an invitation to perform at Tanglewood. The Jazz Band was featured as Showcase Performers at the IAJE International Convention. They performed a piece commissioned for them with the Boston Pops at the Wang Center in Boston and won Gold Medals at national and international festivals in Orlando, New Orleans, Chicago, and Montreal. Dr. Smith had the distinguished honor of being selected as Guest Conductor for the All-State Jazz Bands at the New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island All-State Festivals.
Dr. Smith taught for a few years in Wakefield before attending Boston College and receiving her master’s degree in 1990. While at Boston College she studied Counseling Psychology, with a focus on adolescents. She knew “that the knowledge and skills that I would develop in this program would only help me to become a better teacher.” Dr. Smith knew that she wanted to pursue educational leadership, so in 2005 she seized the opportunity to become the Assistant Principal of Wakefield High School. It was during her tenure as the Assistant Principal, that Dr. Smith continued her education. In 2009, she earned her doctorate from Boston College in educational leadership. After earning her doctoral degree, Dr. Smith went on to become the Principal of Wakefield High School in 2010, a position she held for five years. She says that “it was exciting and wonderful to serve the school I loved. I graduated ten phenomenal cohorts of students as a WHS administrator, the Classes of 2005 – 2014, and I cherish this period of my career.”
In 2014, Dr. Smith began her career in the Superintendent’s office, first as the Assistant Superintendent and then as the Superintendent. When asked about her time as both, she states that she is “immensely grateful for the opportunity to lead the school system to which I have dedicated my career. I have enjoyed these years tremendously and gave my all to put the school system in the best possible position to grow and achieve for the long term.”
Dr. Smith has had a long and successful career in Wakefield. When asked if there was anything she would change about it, she happily said not one thing! Furthermore, she says that “at some point in my career, early on and without quite realizing it, I fell in love with Wakefield. Living with this community through its many joys and sorrows only deepened my loyalty and commitment. It has been an extraordinary 32 years and I will cherish the happiness that the children of Wakefield have given to me for the rest of my life.”
Now that Dr. Smith is retiring in June 2018, she has big plans for her future. First and foremost is spending the summer relaxing on the beach, reading, visiting interesting places and spending well earned quality time with her family. She hopes to one day teach at the college level. Perhaps at UNH or BC to give back to the institutions that taught her so much over the years.
We asked Dr. Smith what her favorite memory of the 4th of July Parade here in Wakefield is and she said:
“The Fourth of July is my absolute favorite holiday of the year: cookouts, fireworks, beach days, baseball, ice cream, parades…these are my favorite things! So naturally I love the Wakefield parade. I have lots of great memories of watching with family members, always waiting for the Drum & Bugle Corps to come by, definitely my favorite part of the parade.”
Dr. Smith was excited and honored to be nominated as the Grand Marshal this year. When told she was selected she said “the 4th of July Parade is the best expression of the heart and soul of this community. I am thrilled and honored to be the 2018 Grand Marshal, and plan to be along the parade route, literally and figuratively, cheering Wakefield on, for many years to come.”
We want to thank Dr. Kim Smith for her exceptional service to the Wakefield Public Schools and for spending the last 32 years of her career in her second home…Wakefield!
Any alumni from classes 1986-2004 who are interested in walking behind Dr. Smith’s carriage in the parade, please email Ashley Fox at ashleymf86@hotmail.com or Amy Braid at amy.braid@julyparade.org
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