Hoover City Schools is proud to announce Dr. Donna Smiley as the district’s new Coordinator of Prevention and At-Risk Services. With 27 years of experience in education and a deep commitment to student well-being, Dr. Smiley brings a student-centered, collaborative approach to supporting every student.

She is currently serving as the district’s Coordinator of Administrative Services, where she oversees district safety protocols and crisis management planning, leads the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative, and directs the district’s Student Educational Initiative, which provides strategies to enhance the overall learning environment for all students.

“I am honored to continue serving the students and families of Hoover City Schools in this new role,” said Dr. Smiley. “I look forward to building on our strong foundation of student support and working alongside our incredible educators to ensure our students have the tools and encouragement they need to thrive.”

Dr. Smiley began her career in HCS as a science teacher at Hoover High School before moving into administration as an assistant principal. Prior to joining HCS, she taught science at Bessemer City High School, where she was named Bessemer City Schools’ Secondary Teacher of the Year.

As the Coordinator of Prevention and At-Risk Services, Dr. Smiley will lead district-wide initiatives to build and maintain a safe, supportive learning environment for all students. She will promote restorative approaches to student discipline and engagement, support the development of individualized learning plans, and include collaboration with teachers to enhance differentiated instruction, credit recovery, and vocational pathways. She will also coordinate student support services such as counseling, mental health resources, intervention plans, and student attendance and graduation tracking. In addition, she will lead efforts in curriculum innovation and program development to further support at-risk learners.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Dillard University, her master’s and education specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her doctorate in educational leadership from Samford University.

"Dr. Smiley has consistently shown her commitment to helping students overcome obstacles to success,” said HCS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Maddox. “Her leadership and collaborative spirit will continue to have a significant impact on all of our students.”