The Ubiquitous They - Wendy Smith

Who are you and what do you do in the Community?  I’m Principal of . This is my second year.  As a school administrator, this is my tenth year. I came to the Benicia School District last year from Atascadero Unified in San Luis Obispo County. My family is all up here.  I have two grandsons in Benicia.

What was your biggest surprise when you came to Benicia?  I think my biggest surprise, really, was how close knit and supportive the community is. That was a really nice surprise, because I thought I was moving from rural to the city, and this is lovely. It is a very, positive, nice surprise.

What’s your biggest challenge as Principal of Mary Farmar School? I think the budget is a piece of it. It’s intricately involved with how we serve students, and that’s always a challenge, to meet every child where they are at and provide them with the education that they need.

What made you decide to go into school administration?  I think for me it was a natural next step from teaching. I wanted to be able to help students and teachers because I see administration as just a sort of outgrowth from teaching. I remember distinctly why I went into administration, because I felt that I had something to bring to the table, that I could help the programs I was working with, help the teachers do a better job, and offer myself as a resource. That’s why I went into it. I actually never thought I’d be a Principal. It’s definitely not something I planned from the time I went into teaching.  But, I think it’s worked out really well, because I really love what I do. Every day is different, the kids are amazing and we have terrifically supportive parents here. I couldn’t be happier.

What’s the best part about your job?  Getting to interact every day with kids, with teachers, with staff, with parents.  It makes it a lot of fun. The job is difficult, but the payoff for the job, that you get to be around some pretty astounding people all day long. Not everybody can say that. I think I’m pretty blessed.

What is the one thing you would like to accomplish as Principal of Mary Farmer School? I think I would want to make sure that when are students leave Mary Farmer School, that they are very well prepared for the work that they are going to be doing at the Middle School.  Really, I want to set the foundation for them for their life to be a good human on the planet.  When I think of that purpose, it’s a big one, and we start it here. It’s important. We do an important job.