User Profile

Independent Consultant, BlueSkyEducation

Abigail Smith is the former Deputy Mayor for Education. She has spent her entire career focused on improving quality, equity, and access in public education. Prior to her appointment, Abigail served as an independent consultant in the field of PK-12 public education, supporting a variety of reform-focused organizations in ensuring high-quality education for all students. She previously served as the Chief of Transformation Management for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). During her four years at DCPS, Abigail's diverse portfolio included strategic planning for the school district, early-childhood education, the Race to the Top program, the district's out-of-boundary enrollment lottery, school closures and consolidations, and the development of an online data and professional development platform for teachers. Prior to joining DCPS, she served as a special assistant to the District of Columbia's Deputy Mayor for Education, advising him on issues related to the transition to mayoral authority over schools, the recruitment of a chancellor, and the development of K-12 educational priorities. Abigail spent 12 years with Teach for America, ultimately serving as Vice President of Research and Public Policy for the national organization. She also served as Vice President of National Training and Support and as Executive Director of Teach For America's Washington, D.C. site. She began her career as a first grade teacher in Weldon, North Carolina. Prior to accepting the role of Deputy Mayor, Abigail was also Board Chair for E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. She received her Bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Master's degree in Education from Harvard University. Abigail is a Fellow of the 9th class of the Pahara-Aspen Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.