The Importance of What You Leave Behind: A Conversation With Carl Smith

Abstract

Dr. Carl Smith shares his reflections on a varied career that included many different roles and responsibilities but shared a focus on children with behavior disorders. Dr. Smith also provides insight into where he believes the field is heading and offers his advice to those just entering the field. Perhaps the lasting advice to all is to focus on the importance of what you leave behind.

Observations From the Architects of the Fields of Learning Disabilities and Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities

“…Carl Smith doubted that generic approaches to preparation could be effective in readying teachers to work with students with EBD:Looking beyond a behavior and trying to understand it in context, in addition to the skills for dealing with crisis issues or teaching social skills, I believe that it’s very difficult to develop those understandings and skills in a generic program. (Teagarden, Zabel, & Kaff, 2017b, p. 129)…”

“…I don’t believe that they are” (Kaff, Teagarden, & Zabel, 2016, p. 317). Carl Smith expressed the belief that negative social perceptions can have dire consequences: “If a youngster is experiencing mental health needs, what’s the likelihood that youngster or his or her family will admit that when there could be extreme stigmatization?” (Teagarden et al, 2017b, p. 129).…”

Some of the Best Things Happen on Friday Afternoons: A Conversation with Vern Jones

“…Jones: That's one of the reasons why I love coming to this conference [Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders]. To see people like Steve Forness, John Maag (see Teagarden, Zabel, & Kaff, 2016a), Carl Smith (see Teagarden, Zabel, & Kaff, 2017), Reece Peterson, and Rich Simpson (see Zabel, Kaff, & Teagarden, 2016) is a blessing. The kids do keep you incredibly humble and, as you say, the lack of ego of people in this field is refreshing.…”