Dr. Natalie Smith is the Founder and CEO of Global Citizens Public Charter School, where she leads with a bold vision for equity, language immersion, and whole-child wellness. With more than two decades in public education, she has served as a teacher, instructional coach, school leader, and leadership coach—always grounded in a deep commitment to educational justice.

Natalie’s passion for education began while she was a student at Georgetown University, tutoring children in after-school programs east of the Anacostia River. She went on to spend eight years in Prince George’s County Public Schools before stepping into leadership roles in public charter schools in Washington, DC’s Ward 7.

As Head of School at Sela Public Charter School, Natalie significantly increased enrollment of economically underserved students while earning a Tier 1 ranking from the DC Public Charter School Board. She later served as Partnership and Professional Development Director at Turnaround for Children, coaching DC Public Schools leaders to create trauma-informed, healing-centered environments and equipping principals across the city to lead with empathy and purpose.

Natalie holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and an M.A. in Human Development and Early Childhood Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.S. in Marketing and Management from Georgetown University. She is a New Leaders Principal, National Board Certified Educator, and serves on the DC State Superintendent of Education’s Principal Advisory Council.

At her core, Natalie is a mother, wife, and champion for children, committed to helping all students thrive as global citizens.