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Superintendent

Dr. Wade Smith, Superintendent

Phone: (509) 526-6715
E-mail: wsmith@wwps.org 

Susie Golden,
Executive Assistant

Phone: (509) 526-6715
E-mail: sgolden@wwps.org

 

My Core Values:

 "I strive to be an inspirational leader who believes that leveraging collaborative cultures built on organizational trust is the the most effective way to maximize internal capacity to ensure high levels of learning for all." 

Wade Smith Low Res

 

Dr. Wade Smith joined Walla Walla Public Schools in 2016, serving as its 16th superintendent over its 165 year history as a school district. Prior to coming to Walla Walla, he spent nine years in the Hermiston School District as Deputy and Interim Superintendent. Before joining Hermiston, he served as the Assistant Superintendent in the Morrow County School District.  During his twenty-five year educational tenure, Wade has worked as a classroom teacher, elementary and secondary principal, central office administrator, and Superintendent.

Smith grew up near Beaverton, OR. A first-generation college student, he attended Willamette University, studying chemistry and instrumental music.  After experiencing an introduction to teaching course early on during his college tenure his passion for education and serving students was born.

While at Willamette, Wade met his wife, Marianne. They enrolled and completed the Masters in Education program together and have been happily married for twenty-five years. They have two daughters, one who graduated from WaHi in 2019 and their youngest who graduated in 2022. Marianne is a teacher in the nearby Milton-Freewater School District.

First starting out as a high school science teacher, Wade then pursued his principal and superintendent credentials through Lewis and Clark College. He later earned his doctorate in education, his dissertation focused on construction delivery models associated with K-12 capital referenda.

In 2021 Dr. Smith was recognized by the Washington Association of School Administrator's with the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Leader Award for all large school districts in Washington State. Smith also received the WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award in 2021 for improving outcomes for students by closing the graduation gap for Hispanic/Latino students. Dr. Smith has served on a number of state committees, workgroups, and advisory roles advocating for Improved student outcomes, experiences and opportunities.

When he is not busy supporting either community or district events, you are likely to find Wade spending time recreating in the mountains as an avid outdoorsman.

To follow his progress and activities in the Walla Walla Schools, in addition to his community engagement and volunteerism, feel free to follow him on Twitter @WallaWallaSup.

Superintendent Video Series & Monthly Pulse Updates

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Educational Leadership & Involvement

  • AASA Governing Board: 2023-Present
  • WSU-Vancouver Professional Education Advisory Board: 2022-Present
  • Walla Walla Blue Zones Steering Committee: 2020-2023
  • WASA/AASA Communities of Practice Workgroup: 2020-23
  • Walla Walla Noon Rotary 2016-Present
  • WASA Region 123 Board Member: 2018-2022
  • WASA School Funding Coalition: 2020-21
  • OSPI Student Learning Advisory Workgroup: 2020-21
  • OSPI Staffing Enrichment Workgroup: 2019-20
  • ESD 123 Superintendent President: 2018-20

Superintendent Communications & Publications
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