Putting
Students First
Whether it's through her books, conference presentations, or enrolling in her class, Dr. Small has the knowledge and experience to teach you how to lead smart.
Books Available for Purchase
Presentations
Invite Dr. Small to speak at your conference.
The following are titles of presentations given across the country from New Orleans to Denver to Atlanta.
“Serving Students Through a Global Mindset of Teachers and School Leaders”
“Serving the Needs of Your Smart Kids. How School Leaders Create a Supportive School Culture for the Advanced Learner”
“Counselor Strategies to Influence Administration Decisions for Students”
“The Power of School Administrators to Meet the Needs of Their Diverse Learners”
Education Consultations
Dr. Small is an active practitioner and researcher. She can advise school administrations in their principalship and in the selection of school person.
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After an in-depth assessment of needs and goals, she creates positive solutions to set in motion. She provides resources and support in creating a productive pathway for new and veteran school leaders.
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The selection of talented school personnel is the first step to school improvement. Dr. Small will provide resources and support in selecting positive and innovative school staff. To receive a consultation, email servingsmartkids@gmail.com.
Publications
Small, B.K. (July 2023). Parenting the Smart Kid: 25 Tips No One Told You About Raising Gifted Teens,
book, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
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Small, B.K. (March 2022). Smart Kid Terminology. 25 terms to help gifted learners see themselves and find success,
book, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
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Small, B.K. (January 2022). Serving the Needs of your Smart Kids: How School Leaders Create a Supportive School
Culture for the Advanced Learner, book, Gifted Unlimited, LLC.
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Small, B.K (Dec 2021). The Global Mindset of Students, Teachers, and School Leaders. Collegial Exchange, Vol 88-2.
Hardman, B.K. (2011). Teacher’s Perception of their Principal’s Leadership Style and the Effects on Student
Achievement in Improving and Non-Improving Schools, University of South Florida. (Dissertation)
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Hardman, B.K. (2006). Career ladder of classroom teachers: all tiers lead upward. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin,
72(3), 30-33. Reprinted with permission by the National Social Studies Supervisors Association, Fall 2006.
Academia Experience
Colorado College, Colorado Springs
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Field Supervisor for Teacher Candidates seeking secondary Social Studies Certifcation
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Coaching and evaluating students in this 2-semester program
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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Adjunct: Instruct and write updated graduate course content in the Department of Teaching and Learning
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Course taught: Gifted Program Leadership
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​Regis University, Denver
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Affiliate: Instruct and develop curricula for graduate level Education Leadership and Principal Licensure.
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Serve on Equity and Social Justice Committee developed to bring quality training to Affiliates.
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Courses taught: Education Research for Leaders (co-writer), School Strategy and Sustainability.​
About Dr. Brenda Kay Small
As an educator for over 23 years, Dr. Brenda Kay Small has served in schools, universities, and private businesses. She is an advanced learner advocate, author, and presenter. Her book “Serving the Needs of Smart Kids: How School Leaders Create a Supportive School Culture for the Advanced Learner” provides schools with a pragmatic resource to create a school environment designed to support high level learners. She uses her opportunities as a guest speaker, a presenter at multiple conferences and an author to spread the news on how and why to build supportive cultures in student-centered environments.
Her leadership experience reaches beyond schools and into communities through the mentoring and teaching of future school leaders. She has taught masters and doctoral level education leadership courses at four different universities in two states. She enjoys the challenge of writing a contemporary and meaningful graduate level education leadership course curriculum.
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She earned the Administrator of the Year Award for her work in building schoolwide career academies that prepare all levels of students for post-secondary success. As a classroom teacher, she received the Florida Social Science Teacher of the Year Award, and the Florida’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Her doctorate and master’s degrees were earned from the University of South Florida in Education Leadership and Policy Studies. A true westerner, Dr. Small and her family enjoy living in her home state of Colorado.
“Dr. Small always, and I do mean always, fought for what was best for students. She was not intimidated by any obstacle and was always ready to go into battle for what she believed was in the best interest of her students. She often said, 'You can never be wrong when you put students first.'"
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- Autumn Moyer
Elementary and Secondary School Counselor