Chris Smith is an experienced Chief Operating Officer in the educational sector, with a proven record in operations management, regulatory compliance, and academic initiatives. Currently, as the COO of Education is Freedom, Chris is responsible for strategic planning, business development support, and high-impact operational support across the organization.
Previously, as COO for KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth, he oversaw operational services and capacity-building efforts across six public charter schools, ensuring KIPP’s mission was supported by a robust and sustainable operational framework. His strategic role included developing business plans, managing budgets, and leading finance, HR, and operations teams, all with a focus on scaling KIPP’s impact and securing its long-term financial sustainability. As Executive Director and COO at Andre Agassi College Preparatory School, Chris directed instructional programs, operations, and a multi-million-dollar budget to ensure college readiness for all students. His accomplishments included redesigning the academic team for standards-based benchmarks, increasing graduation standards, and spearheading significant facility and technology upgrades. His efforts led to higher parent satisfaction, increased teacher retention, and improved student outcomes.
Chris began his career in education with Teach for America, where he served as a classroom teacher and an Instructional Improvement Coach at J.P. Abbott Elementary School in Lynwood, California. During his tenure, he collaborated with school leadership to implement data-driven instructional practices, served as a Professional Learning Community Leader, and served on the grants team which received a $12 million Teacher Incentive Fund grant for Lynwood Unified School District. As an instructional coach, he facilitated training on differentiated instruction and classroom management, providing mentoring and coaching to new teachers. His dedication to operational excellence and academic advancement has made a significant impact in educational organizations focused on equity and student achievement.