Marlon Smith has been approved by the Rock Hill Schools Board of Trustee as the new assistant principal at Saluda Trail Middle School.
Smith joins the Wildcats after spending the past 11 years as a high school science teacher in two Columbia-area schools. From 2007 to 2011, he taught 10th and 12th grade biology at Swansea High School, and for the past six years he has taught 9th grade biology and AP biology/environmental science.
His experience is not limited to the classroom. While preparing for administration, he led an initiative to develop a behavioral management system to improve school culture and climate.
Additionally, Smith assisted the school’s attendance department and helped develop programs to improve student attendance. He also played a key role in developing a transition plan for middle school students being promoted to high school.
Smith entered the teaching program through the South Carolina Department of Education’s alternative certification program – Program for Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) – and has implemented his philosophy of “no disposable children” at each stage of his career and found success in the classroom and on the basketball court. At C.A. Johnson, Smith also served as the girl’s varsity basketball coach where his teams amassed a 56-39 overall record, including a near perfect 39-6 mark in region contests. Understanding the balance of academics and athletics, Smith’s focus on the classroom pushed his team to achieve honor roll recognition.
He replaces Clayton Moton, who last month left Saluda Trail Middle School to become the principal of Dutchman Creek Middle School.