D. Frank Smith

Content Marketer, Writer, Editor

Annapolis, MD

Frank is an experienced professional writer and editor with a deep history in covering the education sector, both as a local reporter and for worldwide organizations.

D. Frank Smith

Content Marketer, Writer, Editor

Annapolis, MD

Frank is an experienced professional writer and editor with a deep history in covering the education sector, both as a local reporter and for worldwide organizations.

ISTE 2015: VR Is Facing Its Biggest Year in Education Ever
We're still in the pioneer days of virtual reality (VR) in the classroom, but both Google Cardboard's bare-bones headset and Samsung's slick Gear VR headset made a solid impression on attendees at ISTE 2015. Companies including Samsung, Google and Oculus have made big investments in the technology over the past year, and they're taking the devices on worldwide tours, which made this year the biggest ever for VR at ISTE.
EdTech: K-12
Satellite Project Puts the Power of Space Exploration in Students’ Hands
It's not hard to imagine students performing experiments in space in the far-flung future. But what if that science-fiction concept became reality this year? Satellite startup Ardusat wants to lower the barrier of entry for those interested in exploring space, and part of that is helping students make their first contact with the vast cosmos.
EdTech: K-12
'Spockey': How Severna Park Ice Hockey Became State Champions
Hard work, passion and a love for the game took the Severna Park Ice Hockey team on a journey this year that ended with the state championship trophy. In the climactic moments of the state championship game in Laurel on Feb. 25, Nick Bondra landed the last leg of a hat trick past the goalie of reigning champions Washington County to seize the game, four minutes into overtime.
Severna Park Patch
'Scrap King' Draws Wrath of County, Angry Neighbors
Members of the local community association are fighting back by preparing a lawsuit. One can't help but notice the front yard of Mike Conti's home when driving down Chestnut Tree Drive in Cape St. Claire, a tight-knit community at the edge of the Broadneck peninsula. Scrap metal, cars, grills, signs of all sorts, trash cans, a riding lawn mower, a boat, and a waving American flag all greet passersby in the community.
Broadneck Patch
Deputy Chief Blows Whistle on 'Dysfunctional' Police Department
The deputy chief of police has asked for the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene and conduct an investigation. The Anne Arundel County Council finally got some answers Monday night during its inquiry into Police Chief James Teare Sr.’s involvement with the County Executive’s secretive dossiers.
Broadneck Patch
Eco-Goats Return to Cape to Chew Through Invasive Species
Helpful, friendly Eco-Goats will return to Lake Claire to lend clearing invasive species starting next week, a Cape St. Claire official said. Eco-Goats, a Davidsonville-based company, lent a few of their animals to the Lake Claire cleanup effort in April , organized by the Friends of Lake Claire, a group of local volunteers.
Broadneck Patch
New Mayor: Republican Pantelides Takes Annapolis With 59-Vote Margin
Mayor Josh Cohen thanked Pantelides personally after the totals were counted. It came down to just 59 votes. The city's new mayor is Mike Pantelides, whom his campaign manager is calling "The Youngest Greek Mayor" ever. He's also the first Republican mayor of Annapolis in a decade. Standing on a box and looking full of emotion on Friday evening, Pantelides thanked his supporters and even the election officials who spent more than 25 hours counting votes.
Annapolis Patch
Fire Destroys Islamic Center
Daoud Abudiab could only watch as fire consumed Columbia's only mosque Saturday. Scrawlings of a swastika and racial slurs marred the building as firefighters raced to control the damage. Federal agents said the blaze that engulfed Columbia’s Islamic Center is being investigated as a hate crime and an arson. Abudiab, the president of the Islamic Center, said he can't understand why someone would burn the mosque to the ground. Abudiab said he was notified of the fire by the Columbia Police Department about 6:30 a.m. He arrived minutes later, only to watch the building burn for another hour before firefighters could completely extinguish the blaze.
Columbia Daily Herald
A Tale of Two Mayors
There are two mayors in Columbia, each with a plan for fighting crime. One mayor has an office in City Hall and is working to forward legislation for a widespread assault on gang violence. The other works door to door, taking down crime one knock at a time. Inspiring the community to take back their streets has become a powerful weapon in fighting crime in east Columbia, said the so-called mayor of E. 11th Street, Sherley Jones. From inside his home, at the corner of E. 11th and Graham streets, Jones points out the window to the intersection. “Seven years ago, that place right there was a firecracker,” he said, adding that an open-air drug market thrived on the corner across from his home. “We don't have that anymore. It ain't never been this quiet."
Columbia Daily Herald
Suspect Dies After Arrest
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed an unidentified man, 30, died Thursday evening while in Columbia police custody after he was arrested at the intersection of Sheegog Lane and Campbellsville Pike. Columbia Police Capt. Kenneth Brady said the man, who fit the description of a perpetrator of an attempted break-in of a home in Claremont subdivision on Campbellsville Pike, was on foot when an officer arrived to investigate. The man resisted arrest and the officer called for backup, Brady said. More officers arrived and were able to handcuff the man, but he continued to resist, Brady said. After he had been handcuffed, Brady said the man had a heart attack. “For some reason, he went into cardiac arrest,” Brady said.
Columbia Daily Herald

About

D. Frank Smith

Writing

Photography

Photo Editing

Journalism

Videography

Video Editing

Copy Editing

Spelling Champion

Web Design

City Planning Nerd

Social Media

Cook

Jack of All Trades

Layout

Content Marketing

Frank is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of professional experience ranging from daily reporting in a traditional newsroom to a startup in a decentralized office, and a worldwide organization. He's worked up from neighborhood news to national news, and back again, driven by a passion for storytelling. He is thrilled to be covering education now, as the world witnesses firsthand how classrooms are transforming in this new era.

Contact me at d.frank.smith@gmail.com

// RESUME //

PREVAILION, Columbia, MD [10/2019-current]
Director of Content Marketing

DISCOVERY EDUCATION, Silver Spring, MD [4/2016-10/2019]
Director of Content Marketing

EDTECH MAGAZINE, Washington, DC [4/2014 –4/2016]
Social Media Journalist (2014), Audience Editor (2015)

PATCH.COM, Annapolis, MD [5/2011 –1/2014]
Freelance (2011), Local Editor for Annapolis Patch, Anne Arundel Patch, Broadneck Patch

// Detailed resume available upon request //