Hi Little Pirate Families, I am Rebecca Smith, your principal at Emma Love Hardee Elementary.  I am most thankful to be back with this family of learners and such a wonderful school community of staff, students, parents and volunteers.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Frostburg State University and obtained a master’s degree in Administration Supervision from Western Maryland College.  I have been dedicated to the field of education since 1988 when I began my career in the inner city of Baltimore as a 3^rd/4^th grade teacher.  I have taught in primary and elementary schools in Maryland, Southern California and North Florida and have had experiences teaching Exceptional Education students, as well as English Language Learners.  In addition, I served as an Assistant Principal in Howard County, Maryland.   I began in Nassau County in 2009 as an Instructional Coach and Title I Coordinator at Yulee Elementary until becoming an Assistant Principal at Emma Love Hardee Elementary. Becoming a Principal has always been my lifelong goal and in 2014, I was honored to be given that opportunity as the Principal of Southside Elementary.  Now, I get to bring my experiences and talents to the intermediate level as the proud Principal of Emma Love Hardee Elementary.

We believe at Emma Love Hardee Elementary that a child’s experiences in school are extremely important in establishing good work habits, routines, and positive attitudes for lifelong learning.   Strong home-school connections and communication that builds positive relationships are greatly valued at ELH.  We look forward to working together with our whole school community to ensure that our children are successful in all they set out to accomplish.  We want our school to be the place where teachers love teaching, students love learning and parents/community members love coming to support us!

 Gooooo  Little  Pirates!