Marla Smith is a 2026-2027 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Belonging, Empowerment, and Mentorship Network Facilitator and 3rd grade teacher at Pittsburgh West Liberty in Pittsburgh. She teaches English language arts and serves as a 3rd grade team member supporting literacy instruction and student engagement. Marla previously taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools PreK Program, Summer Dreamers, Summer BOOST Program, Higher Achievement, and Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, as well as SAT preparation courses. She is an alumna of the Teach Plus Pennsylvania Equity Leadership Institute. Marla is a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Education Committee and an alumna of the Black Teacher Project Fellowship. Her work centers on equity-driven policy and the recruitment, retention, and support of Black educators. Marla earned a BA in elementary and early childhood education from Lincoln University and an MA in education from Carlow University.
