Natalie Smith, Ph.D., Head of School

Areas of Expertise:  Curriculum & Instruction, Dual Language Immersion, School Leadership, Family & Community Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Finance, Fundraising, School Startup, Talent/HR

Natalie Smith, Ph.D. is the Founder and CEO of Global Citizens Public Charter School. Over the last 20 years, she has served as a teacher, instructional coach, school leader, and leadership coach in local public schools. While a student at Georgetown University, Natalie tutored in an after-school program that served children in public schools located east of the Anacostia River. She began her career in education as a teacher and instructional coach for eight years in Prince George’s County and then served as a school leader in public charter schools in Ward 7 in Washington, DC. Natalie then became the Head of School of Sela Public Charter School, the city’s only Hebrew language immersion public school. She substantially increased the percentage of economically underserved students while simultaneously earning the school a Tier 1 ranking from the DC Public Charter School Board.  

As a Partnership and Professional Development Director for Turnaround for Children, Natalie built the knowledge and capacity of DC Public Schools (DCPS) principals and school leaders to implement systems and structures in their schools that promote a positive climate and responsiveness to students’ needs through trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches and strategies. Natalie also provided direct coaching support to school leaders and Turnaround school-based staff at Martin Luther King ES, Cleveland ES, Turner ES, Hendley ES, Malcolm X ES, and Houston ES, as well as facilitated monthly training sessions to all DCPS Cluster 1 Principals.  

Natalie earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and an M.A. in human development and early childhood psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She also has a B.S. in marketing and management from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Natalie is endorsed as a New Leaders Principal and is a National Board Certified Educator. She is also a member of the DC State Superintendent of Education’s Principal Advisory Council. Natalie is a proud wife and mom, and she looks forward to her son having the opportunity to attend and thrive at Global Citizens Public Charter School.