Salena Smith is a 2020-21 Texas DFW Policy Fellow who supports reading and writing instruction for 3rd-5th grade at Frank Guzick Elementary School where she is also the Writing Across Content and AVID Coordinator. Salena has held a Distinguished Teacher rating since the Teacher Excellence Initiative began in Dallas ISD in 2015. She was the campus Teacher of the Year for the 2015-2016 school year and is committed to the development of the students and teachers of Dallas ISD. Her research on the preparation of teachers who support students that have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences is what drives her passion for trauma-informed practices and makes her an advocate for teachers to be adequately trained to provide equitable education for all students regardless of their experiences. Salena obtained her BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on elementary education, her Master’s in Health Administration, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation from St. Thomas University.
