Today we’d like to introduce you to Joss Smith
Hi Joss, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Oklahoma and my parents were houseparents for children’s homes growing up. That means 15 – 20 troubled young people lived with us at any given time. Approaching graduation, I decided to go into the family business and work with young people. I completed a Humanities degree with a minor in Youth and Family Ministry from Lubbock Christian University and served as a youth and worship pastor in Pampa, Amarillo, Lubbock, and Irving. After spending time in ministry, I decided I wanted to work with students who did not decide to attend church and went to work as a teacher at Irving High School. After two years there, I went to Coppell High School as a teacher and received my Master of Education in Administration and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington and became an Assistant Principal and eventually Principal at New Tech High @ Coppell. I loved my time as a high school principal and was fortunate to work with the best instructional staff I could imagine. After three years in that role, I left to pursue a career in consulting with Emergent Tree Education where we consult with school districts across the state to make sure kids are loved and cared for in the districts we serve. I am grateful to have the opportunity to assist schools to accommodate the kind of young people my parents served as houseparents and am fortunate to work with a tremendous team that has the same vision.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I was married for almost 20 years and my time in educational administration led to a lifestyle consumed by my work and I went through a divorce three years ago. We co-parent well and I am blessed to have share my kids, Ryko 13 years old and Kirin 12 years old, every other week.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an education consultant for a variety of schools in North Texas. Our company is unique in that we assist school districts in developing systems that support student’s behavior. We are proud of the fact that we support school’s serving families to make sure their kids are loved and cared for. As a former high school principal, I am unaware of any company that supports students in the same way.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that education is a priority in our city. The political climate has been difficult for education and I am a part of many parent groups that are well educated on the status of education and take their children’s education seriously. We are also privy to a number of museums and zoos that demonstrate our focus on education. That said, our education system needs to do a better job in Dallas proper. We do not perform to the standard that students deserve and need to do a better job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emergenttree.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jossoutside/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JosephMaloy
