My name is Ellie Smith (Eleanor K. Smith) and I am a retired special education teacher, currently living in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania. My thirty-plus year career in special education included teaching in Texas, Florida, and Maryland.
After I retired, I planned to devote all of my time to my passion for crafts (making jewelry, sewing, quilting, knitting, scrapbooking…) but found that I couldn’t walk away from my love of education.
I became involved with using authentic projects to teach during my tenure in Maryland. I am passionate about using authentic projects (often referred to as project based learning). Even more passionate than I realized, as I wrote a book about our journey using authentic teaching with my former (and forever) principal, Peggy Pastor. This award-winning book, One School’s Journey by Eleanor K. Smith and Margaret Pastor, is free on Kindle Unlimited and available on Amazon.
I also have published two award-winning children’s books. Tex the Explorer: Journey to Mars and Tex the Exlorer: Journey Around the Earth by Ellie Smith, is also free on Kindle Unlimited, and available on Amazon. These books were illustrated by a former student of mine, an amazing and talented young man, Eyen Johnson.
The plan for this blog is to feature ideas for teaching and parenting. It is a work in progress and feedback is much appreciated! ~Ellie Smith
The Educational Journey 