Background

Dr. Jeanetta Smith, a retired teacher with 30 years experience, was selected by the Board of Trustees in September, 2006 to fill the unexpired term for Place 2, which was vacated when her husband, Dr. Sterling Smith, died.

When she took the oath of office on October 4, 2006, she made a commitment to continue her husband’s legacy and to work diligently for both the students and educators of Denton ISD. She was then elected to the board in May, 2007.

She was born in Miller Grove in East Texas and later moved with her family to Lancaster, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1962 at what is now the University of North Texas.

Her first teaching job was in the Dallas school district. She and her husband then moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they attended graduate school and taught in the public schools. Jeanetta earned a master’s degree at the University of Arizona in 1965.

            They moved to Austin, Texas where she taught in the Austin ISD and earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Texas in 1973. The Smiths moved to Oxford, Mississippi where she earned a master’s degree in art education.

When they moved back to Denton  she became an elementary education adjunct at UNT. In 1979, she was hired by the Denton school district as a third-grade teacher. She became an assistant principal and then returned to the classroom as a teacher of gifted and talented students.

She earned a doctorate in early childhood education from Texas Woman’s University in 1997. Dr. Smith retired in 2006 from Denton ISD.

She has one son, Austin, who is a landscape architect, and is married to Whitney Smith. She has one granddaughter, Audrey Leigh.

Insights and Contributions

Dr. Smith's strong educational background helps her in her role as school trustee. She has attended several state school board functions, sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards.

As a 31- year resident of the Denton area, she has a strong tie to the district and especially its students. Her lifetime interests have revolved around her family, church, friends and professional and educational pursuits.

Community Service
Member of Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma
American Association of University Women
Denton Retired Teachers Association
Denton  Kiwanis Club - Board of Directors
First Baptist Church - Sunday School teacher
Denton Chamber of Commerce
UT Ex – Lifetime member
UNT Ex