Marissa Smith

Marissa Smith is the Family Leadership and Literacy Liaison with WAKE Up and Read, a community literacy coalition. Her passion for bringing people together to ignite change and equitable access to literacy for all children, as well as an understanding that families are their children’s first teacher, attracted her to the mission of WAKE Up and Read. She has worked in her current role since 2022. However, her journey with WAKE Up and Read began several years before supporting free book distributions within public Title I schools and leading training for Raleigh Parks and Recreation staff on infusing
literacy through play. Prior to joining WAKE Up and Read, Marissa worked within the Wake County Public School System, as an academic instructional coach, training teachers on research-based literacy practices and the development of K-5 children. She has also worked as a reading interventionist, supporting students with literacy opportunity gaps. In addition, she was an elementary classroom teacher for many years, including 10 years in 3rd grade. Gaining awareness about the importance of literacy and making literacy more accessible and engaging is at the heart of Marissa’s professional and community-based volunteer experience. Marissa holds a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and English, a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and a
Master’s in School Administration. She resides in Clayton, NC with her husband and 2 sons.