Melissa Smyly

English Department Head

Melissa Smyly has taught English at the Upper School since 2017 and serves as head of the department. She also coaches cheerleading. Melissa holds a B.S. in Secondary Language Arts from Auburn University and an M.A. in Library Media Technology from the University of West Alabama. She has more than two decades of experience teaching literature, grammar, and writing to students in grades 7-12. She is the mother of Emily Anne Trebus (’22), Jake Trebus (’24) and Loftin Smyly (’33).

Courses

AP English Language

Lacrosse

Teams

Girls J.V. Football Cheerleading

Head Coach

Girls J.V. Lacrosse

Head Coach

Girls Varsity Basketball Cheerleading

Head Coach

Girls Varsity Competition Cheerleading

Head Coach

Girls Varsity Football Cheerleading

Head Coach

College Education

B.S. Auburn University

M.A. University of West Alabama

Episode 116: A Look at Darlington Summer Programs

June 29, 2023

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with faculty summer program directors Eddie Guth, Paige Rogers and Melissa Smyly about their upcoming camps and the benefits of summer programs for students.

Episode 90: Year in Review

December 29, 2022

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with academic department heads Cristy Baldwin (world languages), Brian Inman (history), Owen Kinney (science), Al Shorey (math) and Melissa Smyly (English). Together, they recap the 2022 calendar year, sharing accomplishments and noteworthy moments from within their departments, their extracurricular activities, and their own personal research and professional development.

Episode 86: Fall Varsity Sports Recap

December 1, 2022

In this episode, senior day student Ryland Scott talks with varsity coaches Tommy Atha (football), Brant Evans (cross country), Christina Kopp (volleyball), Matt Larry (softball) and Melissa Smyly (football cheerleading) about the fall athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little bit about each team and their highlights of the fall season, from summer workouts to team bonding to their accomplishments and more.

Darlington welcomes new faculty and staff, recognizes those with new roles

August 18, 2022

Darlington is pleased to welcome the following new faculty and staff members for 2022-2023 and recognize those who will have new roles in the coming year. This list will be updated as employees are hired.

Episode 49: Girls' Spring Sports Preview

March 17, 2022

In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with girls' varsity coaches Reid Owens (tennis), Al Shorey (soccer), Melissa Smyly (lacrosse) and Kevin Hunt (track and field) about the spring athletic season at Darlington. You'll hear a little about each team and what we might expect to see over the next few months.

Podcast Episode 11: Athletics Recap and Reflections

June 10, 2021

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Darlington Podcast! In this episode you will hear from four outstanding Darlington coaches as they reflect on the past year and share their philosophies around coaching and what got them into coaching to begin with.

An Open Letter to My Students

Upper School | Melissa Smyly, August 20, 2020

This is a letter to all of my students as a reflection of the first week back to school after nearly six months of being away.

Faculty, staff members recognized for years of service, outstanding work

May 19, 2020

Darlington School honored outstanding faculty and staff members at the final faculty meeting, hosted via Google Meet, today. These awards are typically presented at the Brown Faculty Appreciation Dinner, hosted annually by the Board of Trustees, and Honors Day.

My Reflections on the NCTE Conference

Upper School | Melissa Smyly, February 4, 2019

I attended the NCTE conference in November, and it was amazing! I'm grateful for the Thatcher Professional Development Grant which made it possible!

Outstanding students, faculty recognized at Honors Day, Commencement

May 18, 2018

Upper School students and faculty were recognized at Honors Day on May 18 in Morris Chapel and at Commencement on May 19.

Melissa Smyly

English Department Head

Courses

AP English Language

Lacrosse

Teams

College Education

B.S. Auburn University

M.A. University of West Alabama

Episode 116: A Look at Darlington Summer Programs

June 29, 2023

In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with faculty summer program directors Eddie Guth, Paige Rogers and Melissa Smyly about their upcoming camps and the benefits of summer programs for students.

Episode 90: Year in Review

December 29, 2022

Episode 86: Fall Varsity Sports Recap

December 1, 2022

Darlington welcomes new faculty and staff, recognizes those with new roles

August 18, 2022

Darlington is pleased to welcome the following new faculty and staff members for 2022-2023 and recognize those who will have new roles in the coming year. This list will be updated as employees are hired.

Episode 49: Girls' Spring Sports Preview

March 17, 2022

Podcast Episode 11: Athletics Recap and Reflections

June 10, 2021

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Darlington Podcast! In this episode you will hear from four outstanding Darlington coaches as they reflect on the past year and share their philosophies around coaching and what got them into coaching to begin with.

An Open Letter to My Students

Upper School | Melissa Smyly, August 20, 2020

This is a letter to all of my students as a reflection of the first week back to school after nearly six months of being away.

Faculty, staff members recognized for years of service, outstanding work

May 19, 2020

Darlington School honored outstanding faculty and staff members at the final faculty meeting, hosted via Google Meet, today. These awards are typically presented at the Brown Faculty Appreciation Dinner, hosted annually by the Board of Trustees, and Honors Day.

My Reflections on the NCTE Conference

Upper School | Melissa Smyly, February 4, 2019

I attended the NCTE conference in November, and it was amazing! I'm grateful for the Thatcher Professional Development Grant which made it possible!

Outstanding students, faculty recognized at Honors Day, Commencement

May 18, 2018

Upper School students and faculty were recognized at Honors Day on May 18 in Morris Chapel and at Commencement on May 19.

Continue your Darlington journey.