Salem Academy Charter Names New Board Of Trustees Chair

SALEM, MA — Salem Academy Charter School has named Mekka Smith as its new Board of Trustees Chair.

Smith is the former Secretary of the Board and an Ed.L.D. candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

"Salem Academy is fortunate to have Mekka Smith as our new Board Chair," Salem Academy Charter Executive Director Stephanie Callahan said. "Her experience in education and commitment to equity brings so much to our community. We are excited for her leadership in this next chapter of our history."

The Atlanta native started teaching with Teach For America in 2007 where she worked with second grade Floriday students for three years. She moved to Massachusetts in 2012 and taught elementary, middle and high school students.

She is in her second term as a Salem Academy trustee.

"I'm thrilled to step into this role and collaborate with Stephanie and the rest of the board to support and affirm the incredible work of Salem Academy staff and families on behalf of our students," Smith said. "I'm looking forward to doing my part to contribute to the school's strong legacy to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead."

She will chair her first public meeting in the new position Wednesday night here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)