For more than 30 years, Dr. Smalley had a wide variety of educational experiences which included: Head Start and K-8 teacher, director of a child care center, Title I Reading and Math specialist and counselor, instructor for the General Education Degree program, assistant professor of Education at Bethune-Cookman University, elementary school principal, television anchor and instructional teacher, program specialist for training and development (school district level), and director of School Improvement (university level).
In 2002, she retired as a tenured and promoted associate professor of Exceptional Education, Department of Child, Family, and Community Service, at the University of Central Florida, College of Education, in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Smalley’s research interests included working with culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional students and their families and at-risk communities. Her writings are found in peer reviewed state, regional, national and international educational journals, as well as chapters in textbooks. She serves as a consultant to schools, as well as professional and community organizations. Presently, she serves as the founder and president/CEO of Multimedia Publishing, LLC.
Elder Dr. Shelia Y. Smalley was installed as Pastor of Macedonia Church of the Living God (CLG), Leesburg, Florida, on May 18, 2013. She is a fourth-generation woman preacher and the third-generation woman pastor of Macedonia CLG. Her mother, the late Pastor Emeritus Juanita M. Smalley and her great-aunt, the late Reverend Dr. Lula P. Richardson preceded her in this office. Elder Dr. Smalley accepted her call to the ministry in July 1978 and was ordained in the Church of the Living God Florida State Assembly, April 1982. She has served her denominational church at the state and national levels.
The educational background of Dr. Shelia Y. Smalley includes: a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida, a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Special Education (emphasis in Learning Disabilities; minor in Educational Leadership) from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. Dr. Smalley is an active member of Epsilon Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and serves as the Chaplain.
During her 45 years of ministry, Dr. Smalley’s ministerial gifts have drawn many people to witness the anointing of a woman who gave up all to follow her passion for the call of God upon her life. Dr. Smalley is a highly sought after conference motivational speaker, preacher, teacher, evangelist, with a healing and prophetic ministry, leadership training consultant (spiritual and secular), and passion strategist.