Yolanda Smith is a 2026-2027 Teach Plus Arkansas & Mississippi Policy Fellow and 7-8 grade English language arts teacher at Arkansas Middle School in Texarkana, Arkansas. She serves as English department chair and Guiding Coalition member. Yolanda previously served as campus magnet program coordinator and district curriculum writer. She received the Difference Maker Award (2023–2026), Arkansas Educator Impact Award (2026), and was named Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educator for Arkansas (2025–2026). She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and serves on the executive committee of the Texarkana Arkansas Education Association. Yolanda earned a BS in business administration, an MS in curriculum development, and an MEd in administration from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
