T Nicole Tucker-Smith

T. Nicole Tucker-Smith, founder and CEO of Lessoncast, helps schools implement professional learning initiatives focused on inclusive leadership and teaching practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and equity best practice. Tucker-Smith was an assistant principal charged with planning professional development (PD) for a turnaround middle school in the Baltimore County Public Schools when she quickly realized that traditional PD methods were not going to lead to transformational results. This...See more

T. Nicole Tucker-Smith, founder and CEO of Lessoncast, helps schools implement professional learning initiatives focused on inclusive leadership and teaching practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and equity best practice. Tucker-Smith was an assistant principal charged with planning professional development (PD) for a turnaround middle school in the Baltimore County Public Schools when she quickly realized that traditional PD methods were not going to lead to transformational results. This PD redesign led to the Lessoncast process - providing customized teacher learning experiences that capture the impact on classroom practice. Founded in 2011, Lessoncast offers its platform technology to schools, districts, consultants, and teacher education programs. With the unique lessoncast video format and interactive PD modules targeting specific teaching practices, educators engage in professional learning that is tailored for their individual needs and aligned with their community's goals. Tucker-Smith also leads the Jumpstart PD Network, a community of educators who access flexible PD options to engage in high-quality professional learning experiences that fit their needs, budget, and capacity. She has served as a teacher, supervisor of parent support services, principal, and systemwide coordinator of professional development and training for Baltimore County Public Schools and as a faculty member for Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Nicole is an international presenter on Universal Design for Learning, a member of the CAST National Faculty, and she provides her professional development expertise to support implementation of UDL in P12 and higher education learning environments. Tucker-Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching from the University of Virginia and her Graduate Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University. Her awards and achievements include a Baltimore City Genius Award for Women Entrepreneurs and Visionaries and a Johns Hopkins University School of Education Society of Excellence Award. Nicole is a frequent speaker for education and entrepreneurship conferences. In addition, she has led state-level initiatives for Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education and taught in the JHU Administration and Supervision program. See less