Shelby County Public Schools Announces Molly Smith as Principal of Heritage Elementary
Shelbyville, KY — Shelby County Public Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Molly Smith as the new principal of Heritage Elementary School. A seasoned educator and National Board Certified leader, Smith brings more than two decades of experience in public education, a strong commitment to student success, and a passion for making a transformative impact on the community.
Smith has served as the assistant principal at Heritage Elementary since 2020, where she has played a key role in managing day-to-day operations, implementing instructional initiatives, and building a school culture rooted in high expectations and positive relationships. Her leadership has included coordinating professional development workshops for teachers, facilitating the successful implementation of a school-wide behavior program, and leading the adoption of a new reading curriculum in 2023—all of which have contributed to increased student engagement and improved outcomes.
“I want to thank the Heritage SBDM, Dr. Hicks, and the entire team for their time and effort in helping select the right candidate for Heritage Elementary. Mrs. Smith is the ideal choice. While we had several strong applicants, her experience and vision for the school set her apart. I am confident she will do an outstanding job and continue to build on the excellent foundation established by Mrs. Black.” said Superintendent Dr. Josh Matthews. “Her dedication to excellence, relationships, and collaboration makes her the ideal person to lead Heritage into its next chapter.”
Before joining Heritage, Smith served as an instructional coach at Painted Stone Elementary from 2018 to 2020, where she coached K–5 teachers, revised district curriculum, and modeled effective instructional strategies. She also served in instructional and lead teaching roles at Simpsonville Elementary—where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2015–2016—and Wright Elementary, where she began her career teaching multi-age 2nd and 3rd-grade students.
Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Asbury University, a Master of Arts in Education with a Reading and Writing Endorsement from Bellarmine University, and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, earned in 2019. Most recently, she was honored as a 2024 inductee into the Kentucky Women in Education Leadership (KWEL) program, a recognition of her impact and leadership potential.
“I am incredibly honored to serve as principal at Heritage Elementary,” said Smith. “This school community means so much to me. I look forward to working alongside our talented staff, dedicated families, and supportive community partners to help every student thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Heritage Elementary and the broader Shelby County Public Schools district look forward to the continued growth and success that Smith's leadership will bring.