LaToya Smith appointed to lead North Charleston Creative Arts beginning 2023-2024 school year
May 22, 2023
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is excited to announce and welcome LaToya Smith as interim principal at North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School (NCCAES) effective July 1, 2023. Smith has served as assistant principal at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School for the last four years. Current NCCAES Principal Anne-Marie Murphy is relocating out of state at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year.
With nearly 23 years of experience in education, Smith began her career in 2000 as a middle school math teacher. Over the next seven years, she taught students at McNair Middle School in DeKalb County School District in Georgia and at Whale Branch Middle School in Beaufort County School District in South Carolina. In 2007, Smith took her talents to the elementary level where she served as a teacher at Shoal Creek Elementary in Georgia’s Rockdale County School District before joining the district at North Charleston Elementary School.
LaToya Smith Interim Principal at North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School
In 2010, Smith became one of CCSD’s instructional coaches. In this role, she created and implemented professional development and instructional strategies for teachers for nearly six years at Mary Ford Elementary School, North Charleston Elementary School, and schools in the district’s former Innovation Zone Learning Community and Charleston Promise Neighborhood Learning Community. Her next role took her back into the classroom at Chicora Elementary School in 2017 as lead teacher for two years before joining CCSD’s Curriculum and Instruction Department as an instructional specialist.
Smith was selected to serve as assistant principal at Ashley River Creative Arts in 2019 where she has supported the daily operations of the school in collaboration with the principal and administration for its 600+ students for the last four years.
“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Mrs. Smith in her various roles over the last several years,” said Dr. Jennifer Swearingen, Interim Associate Superintendent of the Elementary Learning Community. “During this time, she has demonstrated excellent leadership that has enabled her school’s students and staff to continue to excel and grow. I know she will bring that same strength and skill set to the students, staff, and families at North Charleston Creative Arts next year. We extend our appreciation and gratitude to Ms. Murphy for her leadership at NCCAES over the last few years and wish her well in her next chapter.”
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from South Carolina State University and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Wheelock College. She also graduated from Southern Wesleyan University with a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision. Smith is a Lastinger Coaching Institute certified instructional coach and a participant in the South Carolina Association of School Administrators CEEL 2022-2023 cohort and CCSD’s Aspiring Principal Internship Program (APIP) 2023-2024 pilot.
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is a nationally accredited school district committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves approximately 49,000 students in 88 schools and specialized programs.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military.
