With the school year ready to begin in August, Solomon Schechter Day School has announced a new addition, Jason Smith, as director of general studies. He joins Schechter’s new head of school, Rabbi Allen Selis, and director of Jewish studies, Michael Raileanu, in leading Schechter forward for the 2007-2008 school year.

Smith comes to Schechter from the Whitfield School, where he has taught since 2003. At Whitfield, Smith moved from classroom teaching to a position of instructional leadership. He has also taught at the Bernard Zell Jewish Day School in Chicago, and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.

Rabbi Selis, in speaking of Jason Smith, noted, “In our new director of general studies, we gain an educational leader who has a solid background in the competitive world of independent schools. He has worked for years in an environment where academic excellence has been a core expectation of parents, faculty and administrators.”

Smith brings to the position a high level of expertise in mathematics instruction, and is particularly familiar with the University of Chicago’s innovative “Everyday Mathematics” curriculum, which is used in Schechter’s lower school. With his strong knowledge of the high school admissions process, he will work closely with eighth grade students to secure admission to the schools of their choice.