Diane Smith

2025 Yale & Slavery Teachers Institute Cohort Member

Diane is a certified K-12 special education teacher who specializes in History, Social Studies, and Remedial Reading/Language Arts. She currently teaches at a state-approved special education program serving 20 students aged 12 to 22.
Diane teaches Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry, integrating the history of science and emphasizing contributions from diverse scientists in her lessons. As part of the Yale and Slavery Teachers Institute, her goal is to empower students to become critical analysts of history. Her project focuses on a unit about Crispus Attucks, employing historical inquiry, Understanding by Design (UbD), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Students will explore Attucks' life, his mixed heritage, the realities of New England slavery, and acts of resistance, while addressing the essential question: "What can the life of Crispus Attucks teach us about courage and resistance?"