The University of Tennessee Southern

Tina Thornton Smith, Ed.D. Professor, Education

Contact Information

Office Address:
Program Coordinator
School of Education

Phone: 931-363-9849

Email: tsmit265@utsouthern.edu

Biography

Dr. Smith is a lifelong educator. She was a teacher for a total of 25 years in 3 states. She has taught multiple subjects in both elementary and secondary classes, including 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, K-6 music, K-6 art, middle school language arts, 5th grade reading, 9-12 Spanish, 9th & 10th grade English. She has been teaching on the college level for 18 years. She and her husband have a blended family of 7 children and a multitude of grandchildren.

Education

  • Ed.D. Educational Administration and Supervision, 2005 Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Ed.S. Educational Administration and Supervision, 2003 Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee
  • MA. Ed. Elementary Education, 1988 University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
  • BS Elementary Education, 1980 University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
  • BA Theatre Arts, Spanish & Music, 1978 University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama

Publications

  • Smith, T.T., Putman, M., 2013. “Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Intervention Methods for Improving Fluency and Comprehension.” Tennessee Educational Leadership 40(1).
  • Smith, T.T., Underwood, J., 2011. “Basic to Proficient: Improving 8th Grade Reading Scores.” Tennessee Educational Leadership 38 (1). 36-38.
  • Smith, Tina T, Foster, April. 2010. “The Effects of the Accelerated Reader Program on Student Motivation and Achievement in Reading.” SubJournal 10(2).
  • Smith, Tina T.; Arthur, Christon. 2009. “A Statistical Comparison of Substitute Teacher Performance Before and After Training.” SubJournal 9(2). 48-58.
  • Arthur, Christon; Gonzales, Michael; Marks, Melinda, and Smith, Tina T. 2005. “My Teacher and Me: Students’ Perceptions of Their Teachers and the Relationship to Academic Performance.” Tennessee Educational Leadership 32(2). 17-27.
  • Smith, Tina T. 2005. Teachers’ Perceptions of Substitute Teacher Performance and Training in Maury County, Tennessee. Doctoral Dissertation. Tennessee State University. Dissertation Committee: Roger Wiemers (Chair), Christon Arthur, Denise Dunbar, and Jesse James.
  • Smith, Tina T. 2006. “No Substitute for Quality.” Tennessee Educational Leadership 33(1). 29-34.
  • Arthur, Christon; Gonzales, Michael; Jones, Eric; and Smith, Tina T. 2008. “The Preparedness of New Teachers for the Profession: What New Teachers are Saying.”

Awards

Awards and Honors:

  • 2018 Appointed to Governor Bill Lee’s Education Coalition (an advisory committee comprised of educators)
  • 2016 Fred E. Ford Award for Exemplary Teaching, Martin Methodist College
  • 2013 Fellow for the Center of Teaching Excellence, Martin Methodist College (Six professors are chosen for two-year terms. During this time they use grant money to conduct research and do scholarly presentations at faculty development)
  • 2011 Educator of the Year. Presented by the University of North Alabama (Florence) to a member of the alumni who has distinguished himself/herself in the field of education.
  • 2007 Maury County Teacher of the Year
  • Nominated for Herbert Handley Outstanding Dissertation Award (2006)—“Top Five” This award is given yearly by the MidSouth Educational Research Association (Membership of over 300 colleges and universities from 13 states)