Shanta M. Smith

Shanta M. Smith, EdD is an Associate Professor of Clinical Education and Co-Chair of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program 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 more than two decades serving in public education. During her 22-year career, she held leadership roles as principal of two STEAM magnet schools, assistant principal, mathematics instructional coach, and classroom teacher across elementary and middle school settings. Throughout her career, she championed student-centered instructional practices and mindful leadership approaches that valued 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.

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

USC Center for Excellence in Teaching Faculty Fellow 2023-2026

COLAB Practice Fellow 2025-2026

EDUC 624- Educational Organizations: Governance and Finance I

EDUC 671- Contexts for Educational Equity, Access, and Agency

EDUC 672- Integrated Language Development Across the Curriculum

EDUC 673- Applications of Elementary Mathematics, Science and Physical Education – Pedagogy A

EDUC 677- Applications of Elementary Mathematics, Science and Physical Education – Pedagogy B

EDUE 710- Designing Educational Organizations for Equity
 

• Smith, S. (2024) A New Tool for Educators Running on Empty. USC Rossier Magazine, Fall/Winter 2024. 
• Smith, S. (2023). In Pursuit of Revolutionary Rest: Liberatory Retooling for Black Women Principals. Penn GSE Perspectives on Urban Education, 20 (1). 
• Smith, S. (2021). "Herjourns of Thriving While Healing: Black Women Principals, Identity-Based Discrimination, Resistance and Radical Self-Care". Dissertations available from ProQuest. AAI28549431 https://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI28549431
• Smith, S. (2021, June 4). Regeneration: Transforming the Unexpected Into Innovation. Greenwich Sentinel.
• Smith, S. (2021, June 4). Using summer to reflect, create and celebrate learning. Greenwich Sentinel.
• Smith, S. (2020, December 10). A Letter to My Colleagues: Prioritize Self‑Care and Regeneration. Greenwich Sentinel.
• Smith, S. (2020, December 10). The gift of gratitude: Make it a habit! Greenwich Sentinel.
• Smith, S. (2020). Why Radical Self-Care Cannot Wait: Strategies for Black Women Leaders NOW. PENN GSE Perspectives on Education,18 (1), n1. 

• Credentialed Middle School Mathematics Educator
• Multi-State Credentialed Elementary Educator
• Multi-State K–12 School Administrator Credential Holder