Dr. Christopher Small

Christopher Small, Ph.D. is the Director of the online Educational Leadership/Administration programs and Teaching Faculty II in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Florida State University. Dr. Small completed his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration at Florida State University in 2012. His dissertation study consisted of a mixed-methods analysis of academic achievement and student engagement of Black males participating in single-gender and co-educational language arts classes using culturally relevant pedagogy.

With a passion for educational administration and academic success of at-risk youth, Dr. Small has made it his personal goal to build self-esteem, character, leadership and integrity in all students he encounters. His previous work experience includes time as a Dean of Discipline, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction and School Principal at both the elementary and middle school levels.

His time and dedication while at Jefferson Elementary School resulted in the school moving from an “F” to a “C” in one year. His work with the teachers, students, and parents while at Nims Middle School also resulted in moving the only “F” rated school in Leon County to a “C” in one year. During his five years at Springwood Elementary he dedicated his talents to building a school climate that was rich in college-prep traditions and expectations. In 2016, Springwood Elementary was recognized as an AVID Showcase Elementary School, Model PBIS School, and moved from a “C” to a “B.” Finally, during his first year at Raa Middle School, the school grade went from one percentage point from a “C” to four percentage points from an “A.” He also worked to reduce the number of discipline referrals from just under 1,200 per year by fifty percent.

In 2012, he was recognized by the University Council of Educational Administration as a Barbara Jackson Research Scholar. He was also recognized as the 2020 Florida State Opening Nights Arts Advocate Award recipient.

Dr. Small has served as an adjunct professor within the Florida State University Educational Leadership program since Summer 2012, and this has opened doors for him to serve on several educational evaluation committees and panels with the Florida Department of Education. Since then, he has taught several core and elective courses within the online Educational Leadership program. Dr. Small has a heart for students and educators and has prided himself in looking for out-of-the-box strategies to achieve results for ALL students with whom he comes in contact.