The name is spelled S-M-O-O-T.

He can frequently be heard spelling that name over the telephone as he answers the calls that are a part of being principal of A.N. McCallum High School.

Few people have trouble with the other half of his name — Bill.

He is Dr. Bill R. Smoot, the new principal at Mac.

The title is different, but the smile is the same one that dotted the halls last year as assistant principal. He replaced Mr. W. A. Sloan who retired.

“I don’t suppose I’ve ever been more excited about anything before!” said Dr. Smoot, concerning his new position as the principal of McCallum. “I’m very happy. I’m pleased.”

Dr. Smoot’s career began in 1959 when he began teaching in Odessa, Texas, in a junior high school. He remained in Odessa for six years, then decided to go to UT to earn his Ph D.

In 1968, he secured a post at the University of Arkansas as a professor. He was offered the position of director of secondary education in the Austin Independent School District in 1973 and decided to take it. He soon tired though of the rigors of the job, and in 1977, he chose to move to the area of high school administration. He felt this would enable him to spend more time with his family and deal with less complications. He was given a choice of schools, and chose McCallum.

“McCallum had, and still has, a good reputation,” Dr. Smoot said about his choice of schools. “It did and still does represent cooperation, good sportsmanship and friendly people.”

He was very excited over his job at McCallum, and still remains enthusiastic over the school and his job.

“McCallum is a fine place to be,” he said. “We have a fine faculty and a good student body. In my work here, I can only hope to continue whatever it is that has made McCallum such a good school.”

The makeup of a good school is easily seen, according to Dr. Smoot. He feels there need to be some factors that never change.

“The school climate has to be good,” he said. “Students need to respect teachers, but it is a two-way street. Teachers must also respect students. Parents also must play an integral part in each student’s education. Mainly, schools have to be places where people feel comfortable, so they can learn. I feel McCallum has that quality.”

Throughout his career, Smoot has made it quite clear that he enjoys working, and being with people.

“I get a personal satisfaction our of working closely with people,” he said. “I’ve never been a person go off and be by myself for periods of time. I have to have those dynamics which are derived from being with people. I guess, above all, you could call me a people person.”

This story was first published in the Shield on Sept. 21, 1979.