Ms. LaShunda Faison

Principal / Head of School

Welcome to Smithfield Middle School: Home of the Knights!

I am thrilled to enter my sixth year serving our Smithfield Middle students, staff and SSStrong community! I am a product of Johnston County Public Schools, and I had the honor of serving Smithfield Middle as an assistant principal prior to my appointment as principal. I have truly enjoyed working with the Smithfield community in the capacity of a school administrator, and I look forward to building stronger relationships with students, staff, parents, and all other invested stakeholders. 

I am devoted to helping our students reach their full potential and to understand the importance of becoming curious, lifelong learners through the AVID mindset and the IB MYP framework. After graduating high school, I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow majoring in History and then completed a Master's in the Art of Teaching at Wake Forest University. Through the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program, I was able to obtain a Master's in School Administration from North Carolina State University. Before joining Smithfield Middle as an assistant principal, I was a high school social studies teacher and an elementary school administrative intern in the Southeast Raleigh community. When I am not at Smithfield Middle, you can find me traveling, hiking or exploring nature with my twelve-year-old daughter. 

I believe education is a partnership, and I value the contributions of all through healthy dialogue. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns regarding Smithfield Middle School. In addition, please follow us on Twitter @SmMSKnights and visit our Facebook page for school information and announcements. Go Knights!