Dr Cindy Smith, a Lecturer and Researcher in Educational Psychology, widely respected in her field, will share on her intertwined professional, research and faith journeys.

Cindy’s talk will include her family background and faith journey, a brief background on Educational Psychology, and why she felt called to study in this area (after a first career in advertising and business finance). She will also share about her intersecting beliefs as a researcher in social science as a Christian, and concrete ways in which God has led and supported this work, including the miracles she has witnessed along the way.

About the Speaker

Dr. Cindy Ann Smith currently serves as a Lecturer and Researcher in Educational Psychology in the School of Education, Curtin University. She has extensive experience conducting research regarding educational and behavioral outcomes of children with disabilities, fidelity of classroom teaching and program development. She is particularly interested in the research areas of mentoring to support effective teacher training as well as student learning.

After a successful career in advertising and business finance, Cindy completed her teaching certification including a master’s in education. She spent 5 years as a special education classroom teacher, then undertook a PhD in Special Education and Educational Psychology with an emphasis in students with severe behaviors at the University of Missouri, USA. After teaching at the University of West Georgia, she served as Director of the Special Education Department, School of Education, Dar Al Hekma University in Saudi Arabia, with the specific task of developing a program to train preservice teachers to teach children with autism. At Curtin she has developed and managed a piloted program which is training WA teachers through hands-on/practical experiences of working with children with autism. She supports 6 PhD students in this area, and has been invited to speak at a number of international research conferences.

Getting there

Enter South Perth Uniting Church via Sandgate St., parking is available on Sandgate St or Hampden St.

Other notes

• • Tea and coffee refreshments
  • For any questions and/or RSVP (not essential), email peterthomas@iscast.org