Educator Rais Smith’s academic journey reflects determination and perseverance, hard work and achievement. A dedicated scholar, entrepreneur and aspiring author, she teaches eighth grade in the Dallas-Fort Work area. To those who know her best, her success isn’t surprising — it’s expected.
Smith has earned six degrees, beginning with an Associate of Arts in 2015, followed by an Associate of Arts in teaching in 2016 and a Real Estate Certificate in 2018. Also in 2018, she added a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Tarleton State University.
Four years later, she doubled down on her credentials, earning two graduate degrees from Western Governors University (Salt Lake City, Utah): an MBA and a master’s in management and leadership. And still she wasn’t done. In 2024 she earned an Education Specialist degree, and she topped that in 2025 with a Doctor of Education, both from South University in Knoxville, TN).
And it all began at Tarrant County College.
TCC News sat down with Smith to discuss her life beyond TCC, her thirst for knowledge and her mission to inspire the next generation of scholars.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
You are a rising star among Dallas-Fort Worth educators. How has your background shaped you?
My background has had a tremendous impact on who I am today. I lead with a lot of empathy because that was given to me during my journey. I didn’t experience very traditional schooling. Well, I guess I did in a sense. Growing up a Navy brat, I was always moving around, so I had to be good at adjusting. It kept me on my toes and gave me the opportunity to learn from different people, which I am grateful for. It also shaped who I am as a leader — things I want to do and things I don’t want to do as a leader.
How did TCC prepare you for continued success?
TCC laid a solid foundation by providing me with rigorous academic training, support, great faculty and real world opportunities. It taught me discipline, sharpened my critical thinking and helped me discover my potential. I left TCC feeling more confident in myself and my abilities.
Tell us about your two degrees from TCC.
My journey at TCC started in 2012. Initially I wanted to be a nursing major and took all the classes to get into nursing school. Then I started to wonder if that major was the right fit for me. People told me this would be a good career, and I would never be broke. As I reconsidered my choice of major, I started taking real estate courses at TCC. Ultimately, I ended up getting an Associate of Arts degree in 2015 and an Associate of Arts in teaching the following year.
Why did you attend Tarleton State University next for a bachelor’s degree?
Not only did Tarleton have a great online program that trained educators, but they worked with a lot of my TCC credits. Transferring them over was a seamless process. For my master’s degree, I started out at Tarleton but moved to Western Governors University online. It aligned better with my teaching schedule. WGU also had a transfer agreement with TCC, so that helped as well.
When did you decide to pursue your doctorate, and how did you feel when you finished?
Honestly, I did not plan on getting a doctoral degree. I already had two master’s degrees and thought that was enough for me. One day I saw an ad for South University, and I was like, ‘Maybe I could do that? Maybe not.’ I can’t stay still for too long and it started nagging at me, so that is where I decided to enroll. I ended up getting my EdS and my EdD at the same time.
You want to be a high school principal. How close are you?
I’m in the process of earning my principal certification. In fact, I just finished the classes for that. I have one more exam to take before I’m fully certified. That’s my main focus right now. Although I’m still in the classroom, I don’t anticipate being there much longer. There is a lot of push from my bosses and everyone around me to start seeking assistant principal positions.
I’m also a team lead for a lot of the new kids and new teachers coming in. That’s been really nice. I guess people see me as a veteran now. I don’t feel like a vet, but apparently when you’ve been “tenured“ in education for 10 years and entering year seven in teaching you’re a vet. At least that’s what they tell me
My responsibilities include mentoring new teachers. Also teaching my eighth-graders. I don’t know why I decided to teach middle school [chuckles]. Seriously, I really do love them. It’s work that’s very near and dear to my heart. That’s what makes good teachers — a passion for education.
I’m also supporting any colleagues on our campus who need assistance, plus teachers working off campus through our leadership program. Recently, I finished our principal cohort program. Also, I serve on the board for teacher development and the Teacher Leadership Committee, where I get the chance to work with the superintendent to make our district better.
What’s it like to serve as an inspiration for some of these students?
I will be very honest with you. I really didn’t look at myself as a role model or inspiration until probably my second year of teaching. It’s cool, people told me that I was shaping young minds. But I just didn’t believe it. I wasn’t much older than my students.
One day a kid came up to me at the end of eighth grade during the clap out celebration and shared that I had inspired her to become a teacher. Today, this student is going to school on a full-ride scholarship to become a teacher. Seeing that come full circle made me realize that I really do have an impact on students, just like the teachers who shaped me. It’s quite gratifying.
What one word would your students use to describe you?
Passionate, because they see me as honest, resilient and authentic — always pushing them to go farther than they thought they could! Would you consider yourself a serial entrepreneur?
I always have my hand in a lot of different things. I think that is just ingrained in who I am. I cannot just do one thing. Year before last I became a certified life coach, and that has been great for me. I’m also a mentor for new teachers who need help with their curriculum.
Now that you’ve earned your doctorate, what advice would you give to prospective students considering TCC?
I am in my era of ”What are you waiting for?” Do you want to keep living the same life, or are you going to make changes? If you’re scared to do something, that’s probably the thing you’re supposed to do. Try it. What do you have to lose?
What does the future hold for Dr. Smith?
Let’s see, what does the future hold? Dr. Smith really hopes to make an impact as far as teaching. As far as being a principal, I want to be one of the greatest principals ever. I have had a lot of great principals along the way and some not so great. You know what I want to be? Principal. Wife and mom. Entrepreneur. I’ve written one book, and it is currently being edited. So, great things are in store for me.
Any idea when that book will be ready?
If not next year, then definitely by 2027.