Sometimes you pick a profession, other times it picks you. For Ronda Smith, it was a combination of both.
Her mother, Senella Johnson, spent 38 years in PBC Schools. First as a teacher and then a reading specialist.
Her grandmother, Olivia Watkins dedicated 41 years to the district. She was a bus driver, teacher’s aide and teacher at Congress Middle School.
“Seeing my grandmother work her way up from bus driver to teacher was incredible. She’s always been an example of a phenomenal woman: relentless and determined.”
The same thing could be said about Smith. “Ronda Smith is the kind of leader every child deserves, and every educator hopes to work alongside, said Delray Chief of Police Darrell Hunter:
Smith did not see this at first.
She was more captivated by the arts than teaching. She began dancing at age three and later studied at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York City. The experience shaped both her discipline and imagination.
That artistic foundation (and her family) eventually brought her back to Palm Beach County. While here a former mentor invited her to teach a dance class at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. At first, she said no. Her plan was to attend law school.
But she agreed to try one class.
What happened next changed everything.
After teaching the dance class, the students at Dryfoos responded immediately. Not just to the instruction, but to the energy and authenticity Smith brought to the classroom.
At the end of the class, she was told something she would never forget. “These kids need you.”
Her former mentor encouraged her to teach for just one year. “Law school isn’t going anywhere, she said, just try it.”
That is exactly what Smith did.
“I fell in love with teaching dance,” she said. “The thought of becoming an attorney was gone.”
At Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and later at Bak Middle School of the Arts, Smith taught with educators who challenged and inspired her.
As a former student at both schools, Smith worked with some of her former teachers. That experience gave her a unique perspective on education, leadership and humility. It also made her aware of the importance of representation in leadership spaces.
Her strong passion for education was evident from the beginning. In faculty conversations and quiet moments of reflection, a question surfaced.
“Ronda, why don’t you become a principal?”
At first, she dismissed it. But the idea lingered. She pursued her Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Barry University. From there she stepped into leadership roles as an assistant principal at Bak Middle School of the Arts and then at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach.
Each experience expanded her understanding of what schools could or should be. Not just places of instruction, but communities that shape identity, confidence and future success.
When she became principal of Plumosa School of the Arts she stepped into one of the most defining chapters of her career. The Title 1 elementary school had potential, but also challenges that required vision, consistency and belief.
What followed was a transformation recognized across the district and beyond.
Under Smith’s leadership Plumosa School of the Arts improved from a “C” to an “A” school grade (the first time in over a decade).
This was proof that support and consistent leadership could change outcomes. “My core belief is that every child deserves access and opportunity to attain excellence.”
That’s why she was driven to create a school environment where students could soar.
Smith led the transformation of Plumosa into a thriving K–8 arts-integrated school. She expanded academic pathways and introduced high school credit coursework for middle school students.
The goal was not acceleration for its own sake, but preparation, ensuring students were ready for the demands of high school, college, and beyond.
To make that dream a reality, teachers extend their day several times a week to provide tutoring in reading, math, and science. Expectations are high, but so is support.
“We are all committed to doing whatever it takes to help our students succeed.”
That philosophy has reshaped the environment of the school. Students do not simply attend; they are acknowledged, supported, and cheered on with kindness.
Smith is intentional about that goal. She greets students as they arrive, walks into classrooms daily, and hosts informal gatherings with students in her office, known as the “lunch bunch.”
“They just want to be in my presence. They tell me about their lives, their interests and their successes.”
Her leadership extends beyond the campus. In 2025, Principal Smith was named Florida Alliance for Arts Education Administrator of the Year. The award was for expanding equitable access to arts education and embedding the arts into core instruction.
Plumosa also received the Exceeding Expectations Award from the East Coast Technical Assistance Center. The award is for academic achievement and closing learning gaps by the State of Florida.
That’s no surprise to educational advocate C. Ron Allen. “Principal Smith has transformed Plumosa into a first-rate learning campus where every student who walks onto that campus knows they are valued.”
Plumosa was also designated a “Schools to Watch,” a national recognition given to middle schools for innovation and sustained success.
For Smith, improvement was never just about grades. It was about expanding what students believed was possible for themselves.
Delray Beach Police Chief Darrell Hunter has seen this ambitious goal up close. “Ronda creates an environment where students feel valued, inspired, and empowered, and her staff feel supported, respected, and appreciated.”
Part of the inspiration for success inside and outside the classroom was created by Smith. She launched a fatherhood initiative called “All Pro Dad.” The program brings father figures, mentors, and male role models to the campus to support students, build community, and strengthen school pride.
Community leaders, former and current police chiefs, the city manager and the mayor have been in attendance to support Smith’s community efforts.
“Smith even enlisted someone to donate gaming consoles,” said Allen, who spearheaded the All Pro Dad initiative this year.
Students who demonstrated growth on the “Florida Assessment of Student Thinking” were entered into a raffle to win two PlayStations and gift cards.
On the last day of school, Smith held a rally and invited Delray Beach Mayor Carney to present students with rewards. “The auditorium was filled with cheering students, and a wheel displayed the names of students who qualified. The excitement was unforgettable,” adds Allen.
Smith’s influence also extends to mentorship. She helps school leaders and new administrators develop confidence, clarity and success.
She also went to Washington, D.C., to share Plumosa’s strategies for school improvement with educational leaders from across the country.
Despite her demanding role, Smith remains deeply connected to her identity outside of the classroom.
That center of her gravity is her family. Her eldest son is a touring musician and drummer in NYC. And her 14-year-old son is continuing the family tradition (attending Dreyfoos School of the Arts) and is a violinist.
Her grandmother is still a beloved grounding presence in her life. “We are very close. She wants to know everything I am doing and still gives me advice. And I listen.”
When asked to describe herself, she is quick to respond. “I am a very passionate woman who loves to see people thrive. I also want to be of service, whether it’s for children, adults, or the community.”
And, she has. “Ronda doesn’t just shape a school; she changes lives, builds confidence, and leaves a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her,” said Police Chief Hunter.
Ted Hoskinson agrees. “Great leaders only see possibilities and make them a reality! What others view as impossible, Ronda sees as a challenge to be accomplished … because she can!”
