Sarah Rickman has been named principal of Marvin B. Smith Elementary, bringing a seasoned educator with deep ties to the school community into the leadership role.
Rickman arrives with 15 years of public education experience, having spent 13 years as a music educator before transitioning to administration. She most recently served as assistant principal at Turrentine Middle School for two years, where she helped guide the school to national recognition and led initiatives that improved the school's report card by a full letter grade while reducing discipline incidents by 50 percent.
The appointment marks a homecoming for Rickman, who has extensive history with Smith Elementary. She previously worked at the school as a teacher, leadership team chair, and administrative intern, earning Teacher of the Year honors for the 2019-2020 school year. During her tenure, she contributed to Smith's achievement of national recognition as a Capturing Kids' Hearts Showcase School for consecutive years.
"This is more than a professional opportunity, it's personal," said Rickman, who lives in the community and is a Smith parent. "I'm honored to return to Smith and lead the school I love. I look forward to continuing our work to support students, strengthen partnerships, and build on the culture of excellence that defines Smith."