FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2025
CLOVIS, N.M. — Clovis Municipal Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Rica B. Smith, M.Ed, LDT, CALT, as the new principal of the Arts Academy at Bella Vista, effective July 1, 2025.
A veteran educator with more than two decades of experience, Smith brings a strong background in literacy, leadership, and student-centered instruction. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Principal at the Arts Academy at Bella Vista, where she played a pivotal role in supporting academic programs, fostering staff collaboration, and promoting the school’s commitment to arts-integrated learning. She also previously served on the Arts Academy at Bella Vista staff as a teacher.
Smith is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, holding certifications through the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA). Her career spans multiple roles, including classroom teacher, instructional specialist, and dyslexia interventionist. She has also served as a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) at Bella Vista, where she supported instructional innovation and teacher development.
Her extensive background includes coordinating Response to Intervention (RtI), Section 504, ESL, and Gifted and Talented programs. Smith has earned a reputation for fostering inclusive learning environments and providing expert guidance in reading instruction and dyslexia support.
Smith has a bachelor’s degree in Family Relations and Child Development/Early Education from Oklahoma State University. She earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Midwestern State University and an additional master’s degree in Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction from West Texas A&M University.
Smith is an active member of the Academic Language Therapy Association, the International Dyslexia Association, and The Reading League.