Shanta M. Smith

Shanta M. Smith, EdD is an Associate Professor of Clinical Education, Co-Program Lead of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, and Co-Governance Chair of the Teaching, Language, and School Practice Academic Hub at the USC Rossier School of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Science in Education from the University of New Haven, a Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Before joining USC Rossier, Dr. Smith spent 22 years serving in public education, including as principal of two STEAM magnet schools, assistant principal, mathematics instructional coach, and classroom teacher across elementary and middle school settings. Throughout her career in education, she has championed student-centered instructional practices and mindful leadership approaches that value the lived experiences of students, families, and educators, contributing to improved student achievement and meaningful school transformation.

Dr. Smith’s scholarly research interests focus on cultivating student agency through STEAM education and promoting educator well-being through self-care as professional learning. She has published widely on educator wellness in magazines, academic journals, and newspapers and regularly presents at national conferences on identity-centered radical self-care in education.

As a certified Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) facilitator through Breathe For Change, a trained yoga instructor, and a dedicated meditation practitioner, Dr. Smith integrates wellness, mindfulness, and holistic leadership principles into her teaching, research, and service.