Nichola Smith

I am a highly motivated and experienced educator with a deep-seated passion for teaching and learning. Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of working across American, British, and New Zealand educational systems. My experience spans all age groups and includes roles such as classroom teacher, physical education teacher, and Head of Elementary School.

I am currently teaching Year 2 at St. Paul’s School in São Paulo, Brazil. This return to the classroom, following seven years in school leadership, has been an enriching and reflective experience—deepening my instructional practice and reaffirming my belief in the foundational importance of quality teaching and learning. While leadership remains my professional focus and true passion, this time in the classroom has strengthened my ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and a renewed understanding of the everyday realities teachers face. As I prepare to return to New Zealand in July 2025, I am excited to pursue a new opportunity in education where I can bring this enhanced perspective to a leadership role.

I am particularly passionate about cultivating psychologically safe environments where teachers feel supported and students are empowered to take intellectual risks. My strengths lie in fostering inclusive, engaging classrooms that support academic growth as well as students’ behavioural, social, and emotional development. I am deeply committed to high-quality pedagogy, collaborative practice, and the cultivation of a school culture rooted in kindness, integrity, and trust.

Above all, my purpose as an educator is to serve—supporting students and colleagues in a way that creates enriching, safe, and inspiring environments where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.

• Served as a mentor for newly appointed teachers, providing guidance, support, and professional feedback to enhance instructional practices.
• Designed and facilitated professional development sessions for teaching assistants, focusing on effective classroom management strategies, positive discipline approaches, and individualized 1:1 reading support.
• Delivered comprehensive child protection and safeguarding training to all staff members at the American School Dhahran, promoting a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Acted as the lead staff supervisor for the staff childcare center at the International Schools Group in Saudi Arabia, overseeing the care and development of children aged 6 weeks to 4 years.
• Presented at the St. Paul’s Educational Conference (March 2024) on the topic: “Building a Strength-Based Classroom”, highlighting practical strategies to foster student potential and resilience.
• Conducted an in-depth research study examining the self-regulation skills of Year 1 students in a post-COVID context, with findings demonstrating the positive effects of integrating regular mindfulness practices into the classroom routine.