Lisa Lee Schmidt Email & Phone Number

Dallas, Tx, Us

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Founded annual participatory theater program for adults with intellectual disabilities using a collaborative process to promote positive self image, well-being and empathy.Each year, lead 30 adult cast members, 30+ volunteers and professional theater staff to produce and direct an original musical play based on messages and characters selected by the participants.Documentary based on program — Into the Spotlight — received Dallas International Film Festival “2023 Best Texas Feature”

Dallas, Texas, United States

Created Uplift’s restorative practices department, which now serves 25+ schools. Collaborated with deputy of schools to design and implement SEL curriculum for all K-12 students, taught 4 days a week. Designed multi-format professional development for principals and school leaders on restorative practices, social emotional learning, de-escalation, and adult well-being.Led creation of new code of conduct that aligns with network values and eliminates punitive punishments: oversaw focus groups, secured stakeholder buy-in, wrote the 60-page code, built five-year rollout plan.Created original SEL campaign, The Uplift 5, which instituted warm greetings, emotional self- awareness, movement breaks, and ending each day optimistically.Designed and implemented signature survey and response protocol for grade 2-12 students to measure sense of belonging, relationships, and confidence in teachers.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Led Dallas professional development team for national Wallace Foundation initiative integrating social and emotional learning into school day and afterschool classes in six communities across the U.S.Each year, trained 600+ staff and contractors who worked directly with children. Created systems and templates for lesson design and curriculum writing. Managed 10 observers and instructional coaches who monitored instruction; provide individual coaching as necessary.Managed multi-year projects with budgets ranging up to $1MM.Presented nationally on Creative Solutions and Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative (PSELI).

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Founded project-based program for teens on probation in partnership with the Dallas County Juvenile Department.Trained all teaching artists who work directly with the teens.Collaborated with probation officers and detention staff to create theater and visual arts programs for teens managing trauma and adverse childhood experiences. Covered by PBS News Hour; received National Institute for Arts and Humanities Coming Up Taller Award.

Dallas, Texas, United States

Conducted workshops for first-year theater and dance majors, introducing them to teaching artistry. Taught semester-long Meadows School of the Arts undergraduate course on developing arts education programs

Masters In Education, Special Education And Challenging Behaviors

Bfa Magna Cum Laude, Theater And Foreign Language