Aaron Smith

Contributing Faculty
Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
M.S. Education (MSEd)

Dr. Aaron L. Smith is a leading authority in STEM and workforce development, a Fortune 100 global speaker, and an advocate for reforming education as we know it, with clients in over 25 cities, five countries, and three continents. Aaron’s work includes being an educator at multiple levels.

Aaron received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Christopher Newport University, and his Master’s in Mathematics and Teaching. His Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership was obtained at Old Dominion University, where he compared the effectiveness of teacher licensure pathways.

Aaron is also the author of Awakening Your STEM School and Blank Check: What If You Were Asked To Reinvent Public Education, a Young Adult novel designed to inspire a new generation (and the current generation) to become involved with fixing the public school system in America.

Aaron has over two decades of experience in the classroom as a mathematics teacher and administrator; some of his highlights include having received the Crystal Star Award from the National Dropout Prevention Center, earning the State Partnership Award from the Virginia Department of Education, and being identified as one of the Top 50 Excellence in Education from the Global Forum for Education and Learning.

Having spent over 25 years in the classroom as a school administrator and a college instructor, he understands learning capacity and how to scale it.

Education

PhD, Old Dominion University

MA, Christopher Newport University

BS, Christopher Newport University

Public Service

Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Committee Member -

Awards / Honors

Administrator Of The Year, Newport News Public Schools, 2023

Crystal Star Award, National Dropout Prevention Center, 2010

Publications

Smith, A. (2015). Awakening Your STEM School.

Smith, A. (2021). Blank Check: What If You Were Asked To Help Reinvent Public Schools.

Presentations

Smith, A. (2015). Business Partnerships 101.

Smith, A. (2005). Data Disaggregation: Working Smarter Not Harder.

Smith, A. (2007). No Child Left Behind Vs. SOL Accreditation.

Smith, A. (2010). Preventing Dropouts With The SAFE Program.

Smith, A. (2015). STEM & Lesson Plan Design.

Smith, A. (2014). STEM Development & Implementation.

Smith, A. (2013). Using Technology To Promote Meaningful Dialogue.