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Dr David I. Smith

Professor / Educator / Author

About

Dr. David I. Smith is Professor of Education, Calvin University; Director of the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, Calvin University; Coordinator of the de Vries Institute for Global Faculty Development, Calvin University; and Senior Editor of the International Journal of Christianity and Education.

David earned his B.A. in Modern Languages (German and Russian) at Oxford University; a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham; an M.Phil. in Philosophy of Education/Philosophical Theology from the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto; and a Ph.D. in Education with a specialism in Curriculum Studies from the University of London.

David has written widely and worked extensively with educators at all levels of education on questions of how faith relates to the practice of teaching. His book On Christian Teaching was awarded the 2021 Lilly Fellows Program Book Award, a biennial award for work focused on teaching and scholarship in the Christian intellectual tradition.

David is a passionate listener to a wide variety of musical genres and enjoys gardening, woodworking, and reading outside of his work-related fields.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

University of London, Institute of Education

PhD. in Education, Specialism: Curriculum Studies/Foreign Language Pedagogy, 2000-2004

Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto

M.Phil.F. Philosophy of Education/Philosophical Theology, 1995 – 1997

University of Nottingham, School of Education

P.G.C.E. (Post Graduate Certificate in Education.) Distinction in theory of education, 1988 – 1989

Oxford University, Merton College

B.A. Honours, First Class, Modern Languages (German and Russian). Distinction in spoken German, 1984 – 1988

Employment

Professor of Education

Calvin University (Grand Rapids, USA), 2013 – Present

Director, Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning

Calvin University (Grand Rapids, USA), 2004 – Present

Director of Graduate Studies in Education

Calvin University (Grand Rapids, USA), 2013-2018

Professor of German

Calvin University (Grand Rapids, USA), 2000 – 2013
(Assistant Professor to 2005; Associate Professor to 2010)

Researcher

The Stapleford Centre (Nottingham, UK), 1997 – 2000

Teacher of Modern Languages

Village Community School (Derby, U.K.), (11 16), 1994 – 1995
William Allitt School (Swadlincote, U.K.), (11 16), 1993 – 1994
St John Houghton RC School (Ilkeston, U.K.), (11 16). 1989 – 1993
(Teacher in Charge of German 1991-1993)