Della Anderson Smith - Senior Executive Functioning Specialist
Hello! I am so excited to share the journey that led me to joining Encompass team in October, 2020. I grew up in Newberg, Oregon and received degrees from George Fox University (B.A., International Studies) and Yale University (M.A., Ethics). I spent two years working for nonprofits at the United Nations campus in NYC and on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC. After moving to Austin in 2017, I earned my teaching certification and began teaching middle school History and English.
My passion for working with Encompass families is rooted in my own experience as a student, professional, and teacher. Throughout the course of my graduate work I benefited from the kindness and mentorship of educators who empowered me to build strategies for large research projects and independent work. These strategies also proved essential in the workplace. During my time as a teacher I became acutely aware of the unmet needs of neuro-divergent students who struggle with executive functioning and worked to empower students with the same skills that helped me to succeed. I am so happy to be on the Encompass team, where I am able to dedicate my full focus to empowering students and their families with the skills and strategies that will serve them in school and beyond!
- Della Anderson Smith -