Erin Smith

Writer

My name is Erin Smith and I currently teach Adaptive Art at various middle and high schools in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia.

My degree is in art education (K-12) but I began my teaching career as a special education teacher. I taught special education for four years before feeling a deep calling back to my art roots – but I also knew that I loved the special education demographic and was eagerly searching for a way to combine these two passions. After a long search, I was so lucky to receive the opportunity to teach art at an alternative school for students with disabilities and severe behavioral concerns.

I was the lead art teacher at this alternative school for 5 years, specializing in building connections through art with students who did not have an intrinsically positive relationship with the art room.

At my 5-year mark, I received another opportunity in a neighboring county – they were starting their first ever “Adaptive Art Enrichment Program”, aimed at serving students with disabilities who were not offered art through their home school art program. They were searching for art teachers with a background in special education – I interviewed and the position seemed like it was designed for me!

I have now been with this program since 2017, and it has been an incredible journey – I work exclusively with students with Autism, Down Syndrome, students with seeing or hearing impairments, or students with limited dexterity, movement, or other health impairments. When I first started a lot of my students had never been to an art class – some students had never held a paintbrush or touched clay, even some seniors in high school! But I can proudly say that I have never once met a student who “cannot make art” – art is for EVERYone!

I work with students of all ability levels and I relish the challenge of helping a student achieve their highest potential in the art space. This can mean adapting a lesson, differentiating delivery or even designing an adaptive tool on the spot!

In my free time, you will find me and my husband on lots of walks around our city with our German Shepherd, Naomi or picking out tile for our next renovation project. My favorite artistic outlet is interior design, as we renovate and restore both houses and AirBnbs as our “second job”. I love to turn a blank canvas into a functional, welcoming and warm space for families to enjoy!