Kathryn Caldwell Smith

Kathryn Caldwell Smith is a dedicated advocate for children with special needs. Her journey in special education began at Ramapo for Children, a sleep-away camp in Rhinebeck, New York, where she worked with campers with Autism and other challenges as a residential counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies from Grand Canyon University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a dual concentration in early childhood and K-12 special education through a non-licensure special education teacher training program. Her education included rigorous training in statutes, regulations, and the drafting of IEPs, Present Levels of Performance (“PLOPs”), and Individual Transition Plans (“ITPs”). Kathryn then earned her Paralegal Certificate with Distinction from UCLA’s American Bar Association-approved, 11-month graduate program.

Before joining our team, she served as a 1:1 Instructional Aide at Villa Esperanza Services’ Non-Public School in Pasadena, supporting students with moderate to severe Autism and other needs. Certified in Professional Assault Crisis Training (“ProACT”) and proper restraint, Kathryn de-escalated crises with dignity and respect, earning Villa’s “Above and Beyond” award. She collaborated with school administrators to update student progress on the Special Education Information System ("SEIS") and drafted and maintained meticulous goal tracking sheets.

Kathryn also worked closely with Behavioral, Speech, and Occupational Therapists to implement Augmentative and Alternative Communication (“AAC”) programs like TouchChat and Proloquo2Go, striving to give non-speaking students a voice, and supported students using American Sign Language (“ASL”). Her commitment extends beyond the classroom, as she was recently named to an advisory board of a leading non-profit foundation dedicated to children with special needs.