Dear IRIS, I am so thankful and excited for the opportunity to serve the students, families, and Indian River Community through the role of Principal at the IRIS Building. I appreciate, respect, and welcome the opportunity to be a part of the traditions and programs fostered by a strong school and community partnership. The essential belief I hold is that all students have the ability to learn and will develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically when provided with a safe, orderly, and positive environment. I look forward to collaborating with all the professionals at IRIS and within the district which makes IRIS a great place to grow and learn.\ My educational career began in 1991 as a substitute teacher in the Thousand Islands School District and this is where I realized I love working with children. In 1996, I  was hired at First Step Daycare as a Toddler Room Teacher. I worked there for four years and then was offered a position at Watertown Head Start Program as a Pre-K Master Teacher. While teaching at Head Start, I went back to school and received an associate degree in Early Childhood in 2004 from Jefferson Community College, a Bachelor's of Science in Human Development with a concentration in Child Development in 2008 from SUNY Empire State College, and a Master's of Science in Teaching, Childhood Education in 2009 from SUNY Potsdam.

Shortly after,  I was offered a position at The Children's Home of Jefferson County where I worked in the Foster Care Unit as a Foster Care Caseworker. In July 2009, I was offered a First Grade Teaching position in the Indian River School District at Evans Mills Primary, where I taught for eleven years. I accepted the position of Assistant Principal in 2021 at the IRIS building and then transitioned to Principal in August 2021. As we begin the 24-25 school year, we look forward to new challenges, welcoming new faces, and reuniting with old friends. Please feel free to call or stop in the office to say hello, offer feedback, or simply introduce yourself. You may contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns at (315)-642-0405 or at carriesmith@ircsd.org.

Educationally yours,

Carrie A. Smith, IRIS Principal