Cheryl Smith is a 2025-2026 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow and Early Learning, Child Development & Education Programs Director at the Homewood Education Center for the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. She focuses on closing the opportunity gaps that minority children face by providing youth with quality and affordable education. Cheryl’s past leadership and teaching roles have extended across Allegheny, Beaver, and Fayette counties, working as a Lead Teacher, Keystone STARS Specialist, Child Health and Safety Supervisor, Health and Safety Nutrition Services Advisor, PA Pre-K Counts Project Supervisor, and Director at several childcare centers. Cheryl was inducted into the New Pittsburgh Women of Excellence (2021) and the Trying Together Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship (2024). She has a BA in elementary education and early childhood and MEd in early childhood and early childhood supervision from Carlow University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in early childhood policy and leadership from Carlow University.
