Learn more about Sara Schmitt, PhD, Bricker/Squires Faculty Chair in Early Intervention, Associate Professor, Special Education, through our Faculty Spotlight series.
"Having access to early intervention is something that can literally change a child’s developmental trajectory and promote success in school and life, and I want to be a part of that." – Sara Schmitt, PhD
Meet Bricker/Squires Faculty Chair in Early Intervention Sara Schmitt, PhD. Sara's research looks at how children develop strong self-regulation and school readiness during the early childhood period and how to best strengthen these skills prior to kindergarten entry through intervention. She came to the UO to be a part of the strong legacy of the Early Intervention program in the College of Education, and is excited to continue to grow in her career alongside other amazing and highly productive faculty.
Hometown: I was born in Eau Claire, WI, but have lived in many other places!
Describe your field of study or research focus in 1-2 sentences: I study how children develop strong self-regulation and school readiness during the early childhood period and how to best strengthen these skills prior to kindergarten entry through intervention.
Favorite Book or Movie: I have too many favorite books to list, so I’ll go with my favorite movie, The Big Lebowski. Jeff Bridges is just so fantastic in it!
Say “Hello”!: Twitter: @SaraAnneSchmitt; BlueSky: @saraschmitt.bsky.social
What brought you to the University of Oregon?
I was drawn to the University of Oregon for both professional and personal reasons. Professionally, coming to the College of Education at the UO was an opportunity to join an amazing and highly productive faculty who share a common goal of helping improve outcomes for young children and families. I’m excited about the strong legacy of the Early Intervention program and feel honored to have been named the first Bricker/Squires Faculty Chair in Early Intervention. On a personal level, my family and I have always been drawn to the beauty of Oregon and all the outdoor activities and adventures available here. So, for us, it was an easy decision to say YES to the UO!
Why did you feel drawn to working in early intervention?
Ever since I was a little girl, when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, my answers always revolved around working with children (e.g., preschool teacher, pediatric dentist), so I think I’ve been drawn to this field my whole life. I feel strongly that all children are capable of success if given the necessary supports along the way. Having access to early intervention is something that can literally change a child’s developmental trajectory and promote success in school and life, and I want to be a part of that.
What excites you most about your current research?
What excites me most about my current research is the potential for impact. In my lab, we are focused on developing effective interventions and curricula that are designed to strengthen children’s self-regulation and school readiness, which lay the foundation for academic success. Critically, these interventions and curricula are designed to be low-cost and feasible, which I think could increase equity in access to high quality learning experiences for children, and particularly those from minoritized backgrounds (e.g., those living in poverty). Ultimately, I hope my research will serve as a mechanism for narrowing pervasive disparities in school readiness in the US for children with and without disabilities.
What message would you like to share with students considering coming to the College of Education?
Come! The College of Education is an amazing place that provides exceptional undergraduate and graduate training that fosters inclusion and belongingness. The faculty are driven to provide students with high quality course work, research experiences, and applied/practical opportunities for learning. I feel so proud to be a part of the College of Education and you will too!
What do you love about living in Eugene?
I love the accessibility to the coast, the mountains, and the forest. I also love the vibe of Eugene – it is friendly, welcoming, and a bit quirky.