Candace M. Smith, Ph.D.
AI in Education, Teacher Burnout and Wellness, Trauma-Informed Practices, and Social-Emotional Learning Expert
Dr. Candace M. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Governors State University (GovState). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at GovState, followed by a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Teaching and Learning, both from Lewis University.
She joined GovState in 2022, following 18 years of experience in education that included teaching preschool and elementary grades and roles in both public and private school settings.
Experience:
Preschool teacher (KinderCare, 2002–2004); third grade teacher (Chicago Public Schools, 2004–2005); third and fifth grade teacher (Lansing School District 158, 2005–2015); assistant principal (Oak Glen Elementary, Lansing, 2015–2018); principal, kindergarten through eighth grade (Holy Family School, Chicago, 2018–2022).
At GovState, she helps facilitate the Beginning Teacher Mentor Program to provide structured guidance and reduce first-year stress.
Dr. Smith’s Research Focus:
- Teacher empowerment, professional trust, and educator autonomy in post-pandemic elementary education
- Culturally responsive, anti-racist, and humanizing pedagogy and teacher preparation
- Trauma-informed practices, belonging, social-emotional learning, and cultures of care in education settings
- Arts integration, creativity, play, and AI in teacher education
Additional Areas of Expertise:
- Early childhood and elementary education and developmentally appropriate practice
- Classroom management and responsive learning environments
- Teacher burnout, educator wellness, and professional identity
- School climate, belonging, and relationship-centered learning
- Family and community engagement in education
- Educational leadership and instructional coaching
- Mentoring first-year teachers
Expert speaking/podcast experience:
- Podcast guest: Teaching and Leading with Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi “Advocating for Racism-Free Schools with Dr. Candace Smith” (2025) https://youtu.be/dlZeYksxCz8?si=ef--YYEVPZCWyN8e
- Co-host: Second Look Education podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-look-education/id1879331024
- Presenter on AI in higher education, educator wellness, and cultures of care
- Faculty speaker and facilitator on belonging, play, and faculty collaboration
Relevant Work:
- Smith, C. (2025). Professional trust and teacher autonomy in post-pandemic elementary education. EduTech Research. https://doi.org/10.69991/0.2025.3
- Conrad, D. L., Smith, C., & Howell, G. L. (2025). Mock job fair: A win-win partnership for districts and pre-service educators. Journal of Education Human Resources. https://utpublishing.com/doi/10.3138/jehr-2023-0055
- Dignam, C., Smith, C. M., & Kelly, A. L. (2025). The heart and art of robotics: From AI to artificial emotional intelligence in STEM education. Journal of Education in Science, Environment and Health, 11(2), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.55549/jeseh.813
- Smith, C. (in press). Beyond compliance: Reimagining professional development and leadership pathways for elementary teachers. International Journal on Studies in Education.
Dr. Smith is available to talk about current topics like AI in education, teacher burnout and wellness, mentoring first-year teachers, importance of school climate, trauma-informed practices, belonging, social-emotional learning, and cultures of care in education settings.
If you would like to arrange an interview with Dr. Smith, please contact Zion Banks, Director of Communications, 708.235.7685 or zbanks@govst.edu.