• Heather Haynes Smith, Ph.D. is a native Texan. She has worked as an elementary teacher, K-12 literacy coach, state level reading technical assistance specialist, reading and teacher preparation program coordinator on research and dissemination grants at The University of Texas, Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts, and was a doctoral fellow at The University of Kansas, Beach Center on Disabilities.

    • Ph.D., University of Kansas
    • MAT, Trinity University 
    • B.A., Trinity University
    • National Society for Experiential Education, Experiential Education Academy Graduate 
    • Smith, H. H., & James, S. (2020, in press). Moving forward: Using reflection to plan how to address literacy instruction in your classroom. In M. Hougen & S. Smartt (Eds.), The Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction and Assessment, K-6 (Second Edition). Baltimore, MD: Brookes. 
    • Elford, M. D., Smith, H. H., & James, S. (2020, under contract). GET feedback: Giving, exhibiting, and teaching feedback in special education teacher preparation. New Jersey: SLACK, Incorporated. 
    • Smith, H. H. (2018). Service-learning field experience with students with exceptionalities: A commitment to inclusion in general education teacher preparation (pp.182-202). In Eds. T. Meidl & Dowell, M. S. (Eds.) Handbook of Research on Service-learning Initiatives in Teacher Education Programs. IGI Global.
    • Smith, H. H., Crim, C. L., Bos, S. (2018). Educator perceptions of a school-wide writing intervention implementation: Implications for practice. Preventing School Failure. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2018.1456401
    • Darst, C., Smith, H. H., & Pemberton, J. (2018). Response to intervention and the impact on eligibility for special education services in Texas. Scholar-Practitioner Quarterly: Special Issue on Special Education.
    • Smith, H. H., Sanchez, A., Peterson-Ahmad, M., Woodbury, C., & Mitchel, B. B. (2018) Using Learning Express-Ways in special education teacher preparation: Developing student-faculty relationships as a path to partnership. Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship.
    • Jones, B., Smith, H. H., Hensley-Maloney, L., & Gansle, K. A. (2015). Applying response to intervention to identify learning disabilities in students with visual impairments. Intervention in School and Clinic, 51(1), 28-36.

    Smith’s scholarship is focused on student supports, systems level instructional design, and the preparation of inclusive educators. Her research interests, more specifically, are on the integration of academic and behavioral supports including response to intervention (RTI) and multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS), social and emotional learning, disability studies in education, inclusive education, general education and special education collaboration, school reform, social justice, experiential learning, service-learning, community partnership, feedback, and inclusive teacher preparation. 

    Smith is a faculty lead on the Trinity Empatico grant, providing technical assistance to educators implementing Empatico in district in Bexar County. She is also coordinates the Trinity Department of Education participation in the Learning Policy Institute’s EdPrepLab Inquiry Group Grant with University of Colorado, Denver and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill focused on Deeper Learning in Teacher Education.

    • Understanding Learners with Exceptionalities in School and Society 
    • Learning Disabilities & Behavior Disorders 
    • Reading Difficulties with Diverse Populations
    • 2019 United Way Volunteer of the Year Award, Inaugural Higher Education Impact Award Nominee
       
    • International Council for Learning Disabilities, Secretary, Executive Committee and Board of Trustees 
    • Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship Editorial Board Member 
    • Rural Special Education Quarterly Editorial Board Member 
    • Texas Higher Education Collaborative, Coordination and Participant 
    • The United Way of San Antonio Successful Students Impact Council 
    • SA Reads, Board Member 
    • The Winston School of San Antonio, Medical Scientific Advisory Council 
    • Mahncke Park Community Garden, Treasurer 
    • Junior League of San Antonio, Sustaining Member