Dr. Brandy Smith has been a passionate educator for the last 29 years, serving not only the birth to age 8 population, but teaching pre-service early childhood teachers at both community and four-year colleges. In her early childhood career, she has operated her own child development home, worked as a Regional Training Specialist for Child Care Resource and Referral, taught early childhood classes at community college and four year institutes, served as an Early Childhood Special Education Consultant, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

 

Her research is currently in social and emotional learning with pre-service teachers but also has interest interactions between social and emotional learning and early childhood environments. Dr. Smith is passionate about advocacy in early childhood has been an active part of the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children for the last twelve years, currently serving as President. Brandy loves to be an advocate for the youngest Iowans and their families, in addition to helping move the needle on the compensation, recognition, and respect the Early Childhood work force receives.