Erica Smith

Erica Smith has served as principal of Mastery John Wister Elementary School since 2021, leading over 500 students and 60 teachers and staff. Under her leadership, the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in reading and math has increased significantly. PSSA reading scores have increased approximately three times their baseline, and math scores have increased approximately five times their baseline, while early literacy data reflects an increase of approximately 3.5 times the baseline.

Erica Smith has expanded community partnerships with Philalandmarks, Horizons at Greene Street Friends School, and several special education support agencies to enhance programming and student supports at Wister. She has also secured grants from Foundations, Inc. to expand out-of-school time programming and from the Mastery Fund to install indoor STEM gardens for science classes. Most recently, she secured an additional Mastery Fund grant to support renovations and programming for the John Wister Performing Arts Program

Erica Smith’s career in education began in 2008 and has spanned K–12 schools and classrooms across New York City and Philadelphia. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as a high school principal in Brooklyn for two years, as well as in roles including assistant principal of specialized services, dean of student supports, lead case manager, special education teacher, and chemistry, physics, and biology teacher across New York City and at Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus.

Erica Smith grew up in Hatfield, MA and attended Northfield Mount Hermon School.