Jennifer Smith
Clinical Associate Professor
Special Education,
Educational Studies
About
Dr. Smith is a Clinical Associate Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Studies in the College of Education at Purdue University. She has 15 years of experience as an educator at the elementary level and 6 years in higher education. Her areas of interest focus on teacher preparation, reading for exceptional learners, creativity/creative self-efficacy for students with disabilities, twice-exceptionality, and developing positive teacher-student-family relationships. Dr. Smith is the Undergraduate Program Director for special education and dual education. In 2024, she won the Charles B. Murphy Undergraduate Teaching Award, which is Purdue’s highest teaching award bestowed upon five faculty each year.
Education
- Ph.D. — Special Education: Learning Disabilities, Gifts and Talents, English Learners, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2019)
- M.Ed. — Curriculum and Instruction: Mathematics and Technology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2010)
- B.A. — Elementary Education: Concentration in German, University of Northern Colorado (2003)
Career Experience
- 2023 – present
Clinical Associate Professor of Special Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN - 2019 – 2023
Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN - 2018 – 2019
Instructor of Special Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV - 2014 – 2019
Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E.) Specialist
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV - 2011 – 2014
Fourth Grade Teacher
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV - 2006 – 2011
Third Grade Teacher
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV - 2005 – 2006
Third Grade Teacher
Hawaii Public Schools, Waipahu, HI - 2004 – 2005
Third Grade Teacher
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV
Awards & Honors
- 2024 Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, Purdue University
- 2024 Seed for Success Acorn Award, Purdue University
- 2024 Purdue Teaching Academy Inductee
- 2024 Purdue University Employee Recognition Award
- 2024 Educational Studies Outstanding Teaching Award, Purdue University
- 2024 College of Education Outstanding Service Award, Purdue University
- 2023 Indiana Council for Exceptional Children Outstanding Professor of the Year Award
- 2023 Educational Studies Engagement Award, Purdue University
- 2023 Purdue University System-Wide Focus Award, Purdue University
- 2023 College of Education Faculty Engagement Award, Purdue University
- 2022 Educational Studies Engagement Award, Purdue University
- 2021 College of Education Outstanding Service Award, Purdue University
Courses Typically Taught
- EDPS 21100 — Special Education Law, Policy, and Ethical Guidelines
- EDCI/EDPS 33500 — Reading Instruction for Tier 1 and Tier 2
- EDPS 40200 — Reading for Exceptional Learners
- EDPS 46100 — Student Teaching Semester 1
- EDPS 49800/EDCI 49600 — Student Teaching