Meet Melanie Smith, Principal of Williams Elementary School and Maggie Solis, Dean of Students
Meet Melanie Smith, Principal of Williams Elementary School and Maggie Solis, Dean of Students!
Personal Background and Motivation
Principal Smith and Dean of Students Solis share a deep passion for education and the opportunity it provides to build lasting relationships with students, colleagues, and families. They view education as a continuous journey of learning, where staying current with new methods and technologies ensures that best practices are implemented at Williams Elementary. One of their favorite aspects of working at WES is the school’s location, which allows former students to pass through campus on their way to the middle and high school. This creates natural opportunities for alumni to stop in, share their experiences, and stay connected. Above all, witnessing and celebrating the successes of both students and staff motivates Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Solis to continue their work with enthusiasm and dedication.
Leadership Style and Vision
Smith and Solis describe their leadership style as collaborative, “all in,” and rooted in shared decision-making. They actively seek input from students, staff, and families while maintaining an open-door approach to communication. Believing strongly in the idea that “more heads are better than one,” they prioritize listening to multiple perspectives before making decisions that impact the entire school community. Their vision centers on fostering a positive, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Community Engagement
Both leaders recognize that families and the community are critical to the success of students and the school as a whole. They are deeply grateful for the support of the Oakland community, including town officials, the Oakland Police and Fire Departments, and local organizations who partner with WES in countless ways—from third-grade community tours to safety drills and special reward opportunities.
Family engagement is equally strong, with consistent attendance at school events such as Open House, Title I programs, PTA gatherings, concerts, and parent-teacher conferences. Smith and Solis also cherish the quick morning drop-off conversations that often provide valuable insights for supporting students.
They have recently expanded community partnerships through collaboration with Denise Deloire, Program Coordinator of Drug Free Community Grants at Maine General, and the Mid-Maine Substance Use Prevention Coalition. This partnership has brought regulation tools, resources, and books into classrooms and will soon extend to a family regulation series. Additionally, the Williams PTA plays an essential role, supporting enrichment opportunities such as author visits, assemblies, Opera House performances, and family events like the first annual Williams & Atwood Family BINGO Night.
Together, these collaborations significantly enhance student experiences and outcomes while ensuring students feel secure, supported, and connected.
Building Relationships with Students, Staff, and Families
For Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Solis, relationships are the foundation of a thriving school. They plan events throughout the year that bring the school community together, such as last year’s family spaghetti dinner and game night hosted by the student council. This year, they are eager to launch the evening regulation series to share tools and strategies with families that can be applied both at school and at home.
Staff relationships are strengthened through intentional practices such as Caring Conversations, team-building activities, and recognition programs like the Making a Difference Awards. Smith and Solis are committed to increasing staff-to-staff recognition at meetings, ensuring that the hard work of WES educators is celebrated.
For students, relationships are nurtured through classroom morning meetings, staff mentoring systems, Colby College volunteers, and a range of opportunities to shine—such as math clubs, talent shows, student council, and buddy programs. This year, they are especially excited to connect fourth graders with Atwood second graders to ease future transitions. Their approach is always rooted in openness, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace new ideas from staff, students, and families.
Education and Innovation
At Williams Elementary, academic excellence and social-emotional learning are treated as equally essential and deeply interconnected. Smith and Solis believe that fostering critical thinking, creativity, and rigorous learning opportunities must go hand in hand with helping students develop self-regulation, resilience, and strong social-emotional skills.
To support this balance, WES engages in daily mindfulness practices—schoolwide at the start of each day, in classroom morning meetings, and throughout the day as needed. Inspired by The Regulated Classroom, staff and students participate in activities that activate focus, calm minds and bodies, strengthen connections, and reinforce positive affirmations. These practices are also woven into the school’s Be the Light Assemblies, ensuring a consistent culture of support and belonging.
Looking ahead, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Solis are excited to extend this balance to families through their upcoming evening series. By inviting families to learn and practice these same strategies, they aim to create a strong continuity between home and school, equipping students with the tools they need to reach their full potential both academically and personally.
#WeAreRSU18 #WESproud18
