Melissa Smith, MS, is a Technical Assistance Specialist with the Early Childhood Systems Technical Assistance and Coordination Center (ECS-TACC) and Project Lead for Curriculum Development at Change Matrix. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Applied Learning Sciences at the University of Miami (anticipated 2028) and is a licensed educator with a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Reading Education from Radford University.
Melissa brings deep experience working with youth, educators, and community leaders to strengthen equitable systems that support mental health and wellness. Guided by a liberatory, healing-centered stance, she designs and facilitates learning experiences that nurture care, compassion, and authentic connection.
Melissa lives in South Carolina with her two children. A proud sports mom, she spends much of her free time at their athletic events and enjoys traveling as a family to collegiate and professional games—always hoping for a chance to see one of their favorite athletes.
