Sally Smith and The Lab School/American University Collaboration

Professor Sally L. Smith’s many successes underscored the idea that teacher training in universities and in “real-world” schools are strengthened greatly through interaction with one another and through their shared commitment to improve the lives of learners of all ages. Without Smith, the nationally recognized Lab School of Washington would not exist; without her, American University's master’s degree in special education focusing on learning disabilities would be only a desired but not realized goal of the university. Under Smith’s direction, however, both the Lab School and AU created a model of innovation and educational achievement that is respected, admired, and even envied by other institutions.

Smith was also recognized within the world of special education for her innovative thinking and inspired teaching, as well for her tireless efforts to create a school that motivates and nurtures its students and for her leadership for 40 years at a school that she built from the bottom up (and 30 years at American University). Her gift to both institutions she served was to treat each one equally and to reinforce regularly the fundamental premise that each institution is better as a result of the collaboration. That model has enabled both the Lab School and AU to thrive in this area and to foster other collaborations. In her work at AU, she brought both her considerable real-world experience and her philosophy of education, which was based on her research, teaching, and observations of how learning actually occurs.

Smith founded and designed the Lab School of Washington in 1967 for intelligent children and adults with learning disabilities. With 330 day school students, 70 adult night school students, and thousands others who come for clinical services, it is the prime training site for students in the master’s program in special education. Baltimore Lab, a division of the Lab School of Washington, opened in 2000 and now has 135 students in grades 1–12. In Philadelphia, The Academy in Manayunk (in conjunction with the Lab School of Washington) opened in September 2006. There as well, the arts-based methodology developed by Smith is emphasized together with an emphasis on rigorous, classical education and intensive remediation.

Since 1976 Smith was a member of AU’s faculty, in charge of the master’s in special education program focusing on learning disabilities. On May 10, 2006, the Today show interviewed her at the Lab School, chronicling its development from inception to the present. Smith is the author of ten books about learning disabilities. Her last book, Live It. Learn It. The Academic Club Methodology for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD, was published in 2005.