Meet the Dean

Dr. Amy F. Smith (she/her) was appointed dean of the School of Education in March 2024. She has been a member of the University of St. Thomas faculty since 2001, when she joined the university as an associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education and previously served as department chair.

A leader committed to excellence, social justice, community and equity, Smith is energized by the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, staff and students to advance the School of Education and its goals. She is driven by education's ability to make an impact in schools and communities, and has worked tirelessly throughout her career to maximize the connection between research and practice. The School of Education’s Four Cornerstones or foundational pillars guide her leadership and practice.

As a scholar, Smith identifies as an “action researcher,” and her work aims to promote excellence in teacher preparation. Much of her current research and writing focuses on practice-based teacher education (PBTE) and the role of core practices of teaching in teacher preparation and professional development. As a recent TeachingWorks Fellow through the University of Michigan, she has led an initiative to implement high-leverage practices for teachers and educational leaders into coursework across the School of Education. A forthcoming publication in The Reading Professor titled "Learning to Lead Group Discussions: Teacher Education at the Intersection of Content, Pedagogy, and Equity" exemplifies her commitment to social justice and excellence in teacher preparation.

Smith feels at home at St. Thomas having received her bachelor’s degree (English and Elementary Education) and her master’s degree (Curriculum and Instruction) here. She earned her doctorate degree in Reading and Writing Instruction from the University of New Hampshire.