Dr. Smith is course coordinator for the special education courses and has taught Special Needs and Contemporary Issues in Education. His expertise includes teacher preparation and educating students with learning and behavioral disabilities. As a former math and science teacher, Dr. Smith applies his K-12 experience to engage his graduate students in a problem-solving, reflective discourse to understand the educational challenges and opportunities critical to educating students with special needs. 

At the core of Dr. Smith's research is the success of youth with disabilities. His research interests include postsecondary transition and mathematics education for students with high-incidence disabilities. He is also interested in pre-service teacher education and preparation to work in diverse settings, inclusive of students with unique learning challenges, interests, and opportunities. 

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison 

M.S., University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

B.S., University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Diploma, Teacher Education

Bethlehem Teachers College, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

Trainor, A. A., Carter, E. W., Swedeen, B., Owens, L., Cole, O., & Smith, S. A. (2011). Perspectives of adolescents with disabilities on employment andcommunity experiences. The Journal of Special Education, 45(3), 157-170. doi: 10.1177/0022466909359424

Trainor, A. A., Smith, S. A., & Kim, S. (2012). Four supportive pillars in career exploration and development for adolescents with LD and EBD. Intervention in School and Clinic 48(1) 15-21. doi: 10.1177/1053451212443129

Smith, S. A., & Brown, J. (2008). Mi daddy grow yam: A bilingual English/Jamaican Book. Middleton, WI: Golden Fern

Trainor, A. A. & Smith, S. A. (2009, March 6). Empathy and spectacle: Disabilities on screen. The Isthmus, p. 17.

Smith, S. A. (2011). Inclusive general education Algebra I classrooms: Understanding the teacher, curricula, and instructional characteristics. Poster presentation at the annual Council for Exceptional Children Convention, Washington, DC

Smith S. A., Kulkarni, S., & Chi-Yan, M. (2011). Teaching Strategies for Inclusive General Education Algebra I Classrooms. Lecture Presentation at the annual Seeds of Inclusion Conference. UW, Oshkosh.

Doctoral Research Grant , Department of Rehabilitation 2012

Psychology and Special Education, University of Wisconsin

Spencer Doctoral Research Fellow , College of Education

University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008-2009