Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Gary Smuts ’70
Retired ABC Unified School District Superintendent
Transfer track to a 4-year university, 1970
Before retiring in 2012, Dr. Gary Smuts served as superintendent of the ABC Unified School District, capping off a 37-year career that began in the classroom. His journey to the district’s top leadership role was inspired just a few miles from his former office—on the campus of Cerritos College.
Gary grew up in Norwalk in the 1950’s. His father, a WWII Marine turned truck driver, and his mother, a beautician, raised four children in a neighborhood surrounded by dairies and farmland.
“One of our favorite ponds stretched about a quarter mile between what is now the stadium and baseball field at Cerritos College,” he recalled.
In his teenage years, Gary attended Norwalk High School, and went onto Cerritos College where he was on the speech and debate team, student government, and played football. Although he initially considered a career in law, Gary was ultimately drawn to teaching, inspired by the influence of the mentors he admired.
Gary credits Howard Tazlitz, William Lewis, and Dallas Moon for shaping his path as an educator and leader.
“Of all the professors I had, History Professor Tazlitz was the most pivotal,” he shared. “He taught me to think critically and how to connect with students to make a real difference,” skills that guided Gary throughout his 14 years in the classroom.
William Lewis helped sharpen Gary’s communication skills through speech and debate—an asset that would serve him well throughout his career. Football coach Dallas Moon also left a lasting mark, inspiring Gary's approach to teamwork and leadership, which would later define his tenure as superintendent.
In 1970, Gary graduated from Cerritos College on a transfer track to a 4-year university. He went on to earn a bachelor’s in history from Cal State Fullerton, his master’s in history from Chapman University, and eventually a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.
His first jobs at ABCUSD included teaching history and social studies at Cerritos High School, where he was later appointed assistant principal and eventually principal. Gary would go on to be the district's deputy superintendent and, finally, its superintendent in 2005. And in between all those roles, he also coached track and football, never straying far from his beginnings.
Reflecting on his tenure with the district, Gary said, “I was fortunate to be surrounded by talented and dedicated educators both as a student and later as an educator.” He adds, “Always surround yourself with people who challenge you to work harder and be your best. That’s how you grow and help others do the same.”