Introducing Colleen Smith

Colleen Smith is a new faculty member in the Department of Special Education. Colleen graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. with a B.A. in Communication Arts, San Diego State University with a M.A. in ASL-English Multicultural Education, and Claremont Graduate University-SDSU with a Ph.D. in Education- Policy Studies in Language & Cross-Cultural Education. Colleen has 12 years of elementary classroom experience with 27 years of faculty experience, including 12 years in administrative roles such as Clinical Director and Program Head at SDSU and National University. The most recent research focus is to justify the benefits of balancing between speaking and texting at schools. Triangulation evidence-based outcomes revealed that in dual language educational settings where educators and underrepresented students communicate only via printed English in classrooms for at least 45 minutes a day, students’ writing development significantly improved. Colleen also enjoys camping, hiking, swimming, travelling, and spending quality time with her dear friends and family, including two amazing adult sons.