Professional Experience

1990-2002 Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana. Professor of Education, May 1999-May 2002; Associate Professor, 1994-1999; Assistant Professor 1990-1994.

1989-1990 Assistant Professor, Special Education, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvani

1986-1989 Graduate Teaching Assistant [Instructor, 1988-89; Academic clinician for college students with learning disabilities, 1987-89; Instructor/supervisor, 1986-87], The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

1984-1986 Coordinator and Grant administrator, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Adult Education Programs

1984 Clinical Practicum, Partners in Progress Sheltered Workshop, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

1984 Teacher, GED preparation classes, Elkland and Blossburg, Pennsylvania

1976-1984 Self-employed

1965-1968 English Teacher, Gr. 8-9, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

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Publications 

Smith, J.O., & Barr, L.R. (2004). Research Navigator Guide: Special Education. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Hollingsworth, L.A., Didelot, M.J., & Smith, J.O. (2003). REACH beyond tolerance: A framework for teaching children empathy and responsibility. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 42, 139-151.

Smith, J.O. (2002). Special Education on the Net, 2002 Edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Smith, J.O., & Gotthoffer, D. (2001).Special Education on the Net, 2001 Edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Smith, J.O., Whitman, J.S., Grant, P.A., Stanutz, A., Russett, J.A., & Rankin, K. (2001). Peer networking as a dynamic approach to supporting new faculty. Innovative Higher Education 25(3), 197-207.

Smith, J.O., & Colon, R.J. (1998). Legal responsibilities toward students with disabilities: What every administrator should know. NASSP Bulletin, 82 (594), 40-53.

Gajar, A.H. & Smith, J.O. (1996). Service delivery models effective with adults with learning disabilities. In N. Gregg, C.Hoy and A.F. Gay (Eds.), Adults with learning disabilities: Theoretical and practical perspectives. New York: Guilford Publications.

Smith, J.O. and Price, R.A. (1996). Attribution theory and developmental students as passive learners. Journal of Developmental Education, 19(3), 2-4,6. 

Smith, J.O. (1995). Getting to the bottom of social skills deficits. LD Forum, 21(1), 23-26.

Smith, J.O. (1993). Self-reported written language difficulties of university students with learning disabilities. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 10 (3), 1-10.

Smith, J.O. (1992). Falling through the cracks: Rehabilitation services for adults with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 58, 451-460.

Hughes, C.A., & Smith, J.O. (1990). Cognitive and academic performance of college students with learning disabilities: A synthesis of the literature. Learning Disability Quarterly, 13, 66-79.

Ross, J.M., & Smith, J.O. (1990). Adult basic educators' perceptions of learning disabilities. Journal of Reading,33 340-347.

Smith, J.O. (1990). Access to rehabilitation services by adults with learning disabilities. (Doctoral Dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University, 1989). Dissertation Abstracts International, 51 (2), 479A.

Smith, J.O. (1988). Social and vocational problems of adults with learning disabilities: A review of the literature. Learning Disabilities Focus, 4, 46-58.

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Presentations at Regional, National, and International Society Meetings

Assessment of adult literacy students with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Association of America International Conference, San Francisco, February 25, 1993

 

Access to vocational rehabilitation services by adults with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Association of America International Conference, Anaheim, California, February 23, 1990

 

Planning for transition to postsecondary services. 11th International Conference on Learning Disabilities, Denver, October 27, 1989.

 

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Other Workshops Presented and Invited Addresses

Working together for effective education of all children: Roles and responsibilities of general and special educators. In-service workshop at Lowell Middle School, Lowell, IN., September 5, 2000

 

Nuts and bolts of special education: Developing and implementing IEPs and leading effective case conferences. All day workshop for Lake and Porter County Head Start Teachers and Family Support Staff, Hammond, IN, March 13, 1998

 

Legal responsibilities of Head Start service providers for children with disabilities. Two training sessions for Lake and Porter County Head Start Administrators, Teachers and Support Staff, Purdue University Calumet, August 21, 1997

 

From risk to resilience: Fostering resilience in high-risk students. Presentation for Phi Delta Kappa Chapter #1029, Purdue University Calumet, October 23, 1996

 

A parent's guide to inclusion. Presentation for the Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana. Merrillville, IN, April 12, 1996

 

Higher education and students with disabilities: A survival guide for university administrators. Presentation to the South Suburban College Task Force for Special Needs, February 23, 1996

 

Early intervention can make a difference. Presentation for Head Start parents, Lake Ridge Schools, Gary, IN, January 30, 1996

 

Parent-teacher partnerships: Building communication skills. A workshop for the School City of Hammond, May 31, 1995

 

Together we can: Making it work at home and school. All day workshop to develop a plan to improve communication between parents and teachers for the School City of Hammond, October 20, 1994.

 

Separate is not equal: The evolution of civil rights for people with disabilities. Presentation to Leadership Northwest Indiana, Center for the Performing Arts, Munster, IN, December 10, 1993

 

National and state trends in special education and the impact of "Inclusion" on special educators. Presentation to the Lake County Council for Exceptional Children, Lake County Public Library, Merrillville, IN, September 22, 1993

 

What is a learning disability and how can I help? Workshop for literacy volunteers on working with adults with learning disabilities, Lowell Public Library, Lowell IN, March 15, 1993

 

How children with disabilities acquire social skills. Symposium, "Looking to the future: Key concepts and values to help troubled adolescents," sponsored by Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Merrillville, IN, November, 1990

 

Legal rights of persons who are deaf and hearing impaired. Friends of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. State College, PA, 1989

 

Parent role and rights in IEP development. Huntingdon County Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, Huntingdon, PA 1988

 

Preparing students with learning disabilities for college. Intermediate Unit 17 teacher in-service, Canton, PA, 1988

 

Assisting the college student with learning disabilities. Academic support Center for Student Athletes, Penn State, 1988

 

Characteristics and needs of college students with learning disabilities. Residence Hall Coordinators at Penn State, 1987

 

College students with writing disabilities. The Pennsylvania State University Writing Clinic, Penn State, 1987