Nichole L. Smith, EdD, is a Professor and serves as the MAED Reading Program and edTPA Coordinator in the Department of Educator Preparation at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She teaches a variety of courses including Clinical Practice I and Children’s Literature and Instructional Media. Her research interests include teacher retention, content literacy development, and teacher professional development. As an educator, she feels it is necessary to create a student-centered learning environment driven by assessment data, where literacy is at the core of all learning.  Prior to her role at the university, Smith taught high school English and served as a media specialist.