When some of the older Viewmont Elementary students walk through the doors this coming fall, they may be taller than their new principal.

However, the 5-foot-1-inch principal is strong—and smart.

Lia Smith, formerly Lia Del Priore, was a second-team All-American on floor for the University of Utah gymnastics team. She excelled in the classroom, being a three-time Academic All-Conference athlete.

“I’ve always wanted to be a role model to students,” she said. “You can be great in school and in extracurricular activities.”

While Smith’s competition days may be over, she still is in the classrooms, helping students excel.

“I’ve never been afraid of trying new things; if it’s good for kids, then it’s always worth exploring,” she said.

While this is Smith’s first time being principal, it’s not her first administrative position. She has spent the past two years at Hillcrest Junior High as an administrative intern, performing many of the same duties as an assistant principal. She also spent time at Viewmont as part of her administrative program.

“I love the elementary kids. I feel like my energy and their energy is much the same,” Smith said. “I love Murray (School) District. I knew I wanted to stay in Murray and when this position opened, it was an easy application to submit. I knew the teachers; I knew the building; I knew the secretary and the custodian. I know a lot of the people in our community, so I was excited.”

The position became available after Jennifer King stepped down; she served as Viewmont’s principal for six years. She has moved on to become an instruction coach for South Summit School District in Kamas, Utah.

“I’ve been a sponge learning from Jenn and from everybody who has been in the building for a long time. I know the PTA is strong, I’ve met with the SCC (School Community Council) chair and with some of the BLT (Building Leadership Team) members, our social worker, and we’re talking about having more community events,” Smith said in June. “It’s been a struggle, post-COVID, so we’re wanting to get the community back involved and bring the fun into learning.”

Plans already are on for a welcome-back movie night, a fall fundraiser which will be a bubble run, a winter pancake breakfast and to continue with a spring family game night.

“I got to be a part of that this spring; I was dunked by the kids,” Smith said. “I’m excited for the bubble run. Parents and teachers can bring out bubble machines and we hope to have a foam machine at the finish line, to make the fun run even more fun this year.”

Other plans are to “amp up incentives and our Eagle experiences for our PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) system so we’re motivating kids and rewarding them with things that don’t necessarily cost money,” she said. “It may be getting to be the PE teacher’s shadow or lunch with the principal or some fun things to engage students in the school.”

Smith also is charged up about the classroom art cart which will be implemented in the fall.

“Parents can volunteer to do an art experience, where they will be teaching different styles of art to our classes,” she said. “It’s a way to engage students with art and also to involve parents or other community members.”

Even with the additional fun in learning, Smith will keep an eye on the students’ academics.

“We have continued goals to increase our math and our reading scores. We are using the bulk of our funds for interventionists to come provide individualized support, which is important for student learning and student growth,” she said. 

Smith didn’t become an administrator to leave the classroom.

“I became an administrator because I wanted that leadership opportunity, but I still love teaching and would be happy to teach, especially math. Math is my jam. That’s what I taught and I’m excited to be able to sit down with some of our kids and help with math intervention. I want to work with the teachers and hear what is going on in their classrooms and how I can be a support to them. I’ve found myself blessed to be in leadership roles because I have great logistical and communication skills and a good vision for educational leadership so I’m looking forward to using them to help the Viewmont community,” she said.

Smith earned her math education degree and her English-as-a-second language endorsement at the U. She taught at Northwest Middle School in Salt Lake School District for four years and served on the school improvement committee. She then taught math three years at Murray High. When some Spartans came to her after a cheer coach quit, she stepped into that position to lead the team. In August 2023, Smith earned her Master’s in Administration and Leadership through Southern Utah University.

“At Murray, I co-taught math classes with a special education teacher to make it less of a barrier to graduation for a lot of our kiddos. They did great. We need to talk about how we can increase students’ involvement in academics, activities, athletics, every part of the school, and specifically, for students with special needs,” she said. “We need to look at what we do and how we can improve school for them.”

Working with students is her highlight every day.

“I love getting to know the kids. I love seeing their successes. I’m thrilled with every grad(uation) announcement or with an invitation to a soccer or baseball game. I get to know the kids whether it’s their school experience or what they do outside of school,” Smith said. “That’s what I love.” λ