Hi, I’m Paula L. Smith
a Learning Consultant. Program/Project Manager. Microsoft Certified Trainer.

Professional Overview

Through my experience in managerial positions within many industries, I have come to understand that leadership entails facilitating the success of others. By empowering my colleagues, I facilitated their ability to produce outcomes, propelling our organization forward. I am a results-driven IT consultant with a demonstrated history of spearheading digital transformation endeavors and providing influential resolutions that follow the organization's objectives. During the late 1980s, I was among a few women in technology who held a position as a software engineering consultant in the oil and gas pipeline industry. I have consulted for Fortune 500 companies such as Shell Oil, ExxonMobil, British Petroleum, Arco Chemical, Anadarko, United Gas Pipeline, and Koch Industries. From the beginning, I have strongly supported boosting women's involvement in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Later, I transitioned into project leadership, overseeing major pipeline measurement initiatives worth millions of dollars. I maintain a track record of success and proficiency in managing programs and projects.

Transformation and innovation are concepts I have embraced over the years in the information technology landscape. The education industry is a breeding ground for visionary leaders who strive to innovate and positively impact individuals' lives. I am a leader who encourages learners to adopt a growth mindset, challenge conventional ideas, and ignite a solid inspiration to succeed. My goals drive me to be a thought leader, critical thinker, and problem solver, capable of addressing any challenges that may emerge. Additionally, I aim to serve as a mentor and facilitator, engaging and motivating learners to construct new knowledge and apply what they learn to their current work. I possess Agile, Scrum, and SAFe program and project management certifications, as well as several Microsoft certifications.

As I transition from the corporate arena to the academic world, my ultimate goal is for every learner to thrive. Every learner is culturally unique and can bring something special to their educational learning, and I want to ensure I practice culturally relevant pedagogies throughout the instruction. I want to ensure learners possess the requisite knowledge and skills, which are paramount in today's technology and globalization. Incorporating student-centered techniques in an interactive and inclusive educational environment encourages a growth mindset and equips students with vital skills for the global workforce.

Teaching has always been a gift I possessed from a young age, not knowing it would be my ultimate purpose. The academic journey in the LTEC PhD program has been an enriching experience. It was exciting to embrace my first computer science instructor, Dr. Jim Poirot, who passed away last year. Who founded the Learning Technologies (LTEC) program? It warmed my heart, and I have learned so much from the LTEC PhD program from the incredible professors. I plan to continue to take curriculum development writing courses and attend webinars to stay relevant. The mentoring program was another critical element in plugging into another student's journey to receiving a PhD. It was phenomenal for key mentoring meetings to discuss your goals and plans for the LTEC program. Then, watch their dissertation defense, network on research interests, and collaborate to further your progress.

Another pivot point in my LTEC PhD journey was the Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Program (GSTEP). The GTEP allowed me to learn how to engage with students in learning activities, develop a teacher's plan, implement inclusive and diverse strategies, experience a teacher's practicum, and explore methods of self-reflective teaching. A significant part of the GSTEP program was the teaching practicum and preparation. It was a transformative learning experience, and I was able to be a teaching assistant (TA) through the GSTEP program for Dr. Lin Lipsmeyer before she moved on. The 21st-century teacher faces many challenges, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, and education will never be the same. Still, if you have a passion for teaching, you will find ways to overcome challenges. Teaching is a selfless endeavor that involves dedicating time, showing empathy, providing guidance, coaching, and nurturing, being a listener, helping learners construct knowledge, developing character, and encouraging others to fulfill their God-given purpose.

I possess Agile, Scrum, and SAFe program and project management certifications, as well as several Microsoft certifications. I have been a Microsoft Certified Freelance Trainer for the last fifteen years. I was a beta and subject matter expert in the Microsoft Office family in the early days, wanting to help low- and socio-economic communities in technology education. I built out several computer labs in churches and companies that let me utilize space for the training. I became an exam writer for their certification exams with Certiport, the only authorized distributor of Microsoft exams for Microsoft Office Family and Project applications. I am the founder and author of the Microsoft Office 2010 Guides as part of the Easy Steps Learning Series. I created the brand and curriculum to help young adolescents and adults pass the Microsoft Office Family Certification examinations. I also made a series of children's books called The Adventures of Paula and Tech to help young readers with culturally relevant content to improve reading and learn technology at the same time. I hope to graduate in the fall of 2024 from the PhD program in Learning Technologies (LTEC) at the University of North Texas while I continue to strengthen my research skills in big data, artificial intelligence with learning analytics, innovation, mobile learning, instructional design, curriculum development, evaluation and assessments, and human performance. My future goal is to implement a Microsoft Academy program at the university level to prepare college graduates for a STEM degree and a globally diverse workforce.