Secondary Education

West Chester University, West Chester, PA

Professor of English Education, August 2022  - present

Associate Professor of English Education, August 2017 –  July 2022   

Assistant Professor of English Education, August 2012  – July 2017

 

D’Youville College, School of Education, Buffalo, NY  
Assistant Professor of Education, September 2007 – June 2012

State University of New York at Buffalo, Graduate School of Education
Adjunct Professor, Graduate Research Assistant, 2003 – 2005

Holland Central School District, Holland, NY
High School English Teacher, September 1999 – June 2003

Books 

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2022). Reimagining literacies in the digital age: Multimodal strategies to teach with technology. National Council of Teachers of English. 

Position Statements/Encyclopedia Entries:

Schmidt, P. (2023). Arts-based pedagogy. In L. M. Barker, D. Gorlewski, J. Gorlewski, & C. Miller (Eds.), Encyclopedia of English Language Arts Education  (pp.28-37). Brill.

Schmidt, P.S., Roseboro, A., Virgin, K., & Greene, J. (2022, November 1). Educators as readers: Forming book groups as professionals. NCTE Position Statement. [ link ]

Book Chapters

Renzi, L., Kruger-Ross, M., & Schmidt, P.S. (2024). Coming out in the classroom: Using Pitman’s The Stonewall Riots to forefront LGBTQ+ & civil rights in US history. In P. Greathouse, Hundley, M. & A. Hostetler (Eds.), Exploring history through young adult literature: High school (pp. 119-134). Rowman and Littlefield.

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2024). Book clubs to support multi genre ensembles in interdisciplinary teacher preparation. In P. Hartman & J. Spanke (Eds.), Cultivating democratic literacy through the arts: Guiding preservice teachers towards innovative learning spaces in ELA classrooms (pp. 99-113). Information Age Press.

Wender, E. & Schmidt, P.S. (2021). Getting into good trouble: Exploring visual literacy with John Lewis’ March. In R. Maldonado, (Ed.), Arts integration and young adult literature: Strategies to enhance academic skills and student voice (pp. 111-124). Rowman & Littlefield.

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2021). Shakespeare vs. the homo sapien agenda: Exploring gender in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In V. Malo-Juvera, P. Greathouse, & B. Eisenbach (Eds.), Shakespeare and adolescent literature: Pairings and teaching (pp. 135-151). Rowman and Littlefield.

Schmidt, P.S. (2019). A rocker in teacher’s clothing: Outlandish lessons from School of Rock: The Musical.  In M. Shoffner & R. St. Peter (Eds.),  Teacher representations in dramatic text and performance (pp. 88-97). Routledge.

Turchi, L., & Schmidt, P.S. (2019). Arts-based pedagogy: Exploring Shakespeare study in the classroom. In M. Zoss & K. Macro (Eds.),  A symphony of possibilities: A handbook for arts integration in secondary English language arts  (pp. 79-97). National Council of Teachers of English.

Journal Articles

Wisniewski, E., Virgin, K., & Schmidt, P.S. (2026). ‘It’s a win-win situation’— Cultivating university & school partnerships. Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education 14 (2). [ link ].

Schmidt, P.S. (2019). Using privilege for good: YA authors tackling tough topics for teens. Pennsylvania Reads: Journal of the Keystone State Reading Association,  18(1), 9-10. 

Kruger-Ross, M. & Schmidt, P.S. (2019, November 18). Our podcast story. NCTE Blog. [ link ] 

Kruger-Ross, M. & Schmidt, P.S. (2019, July 18). Podcasting our co-teaching relationship: Two notorious pedagogues charting their journey. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). [ link ]  

Schmidt, P.S. (2019, May 17). Embracing feedback. Teach Write Chat Blog.

Kruger-Ross, M. & Schmidt, P.S. (Co-Hosts). (2019). Notorious Pedagogues. [Audio Podcast Series link].

Schmidt, P.S. (2018). Seeing a bigger world: Including meaningful diversity in our classroom libraries. Pennsylvania Reads: Journal of the Keystone State Reading Association,  17(1), 10-11. 

Schmidt, P.S. (2018). The future is female: Bad-ass feminists in YA. English Journal, 107(6), 116-118. 

Ebarvia, T., & Parker, K., & Schmidt, P.S. (2018). #Black Lives Matter: When real-life and YA fiction converge. English Journal, 107(5), 92-95. 

Schmidt, P.S., Gill, A., & Basu, S. (September 2025 - September 2026). Teaching with Primary Sources: Arts-Based and Place-Based Pedagogical Research for Educators. Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Grant, U.S. Library of Congress Eastern Region. Awarded $25,000

Wisniewski, E., Virgin, K., & Schmidt, P.S. (AY 2025-2026). Writing Zones Self Study: Examining Pedagogy & Partnership. CESW Research Grant, West Chester University. Awarded $3000

Schmidt, P.S. (2025). PASSHE Leadership Institute for Faculty Women. Provost’s Office, West Chester University. Awarded $1500

Schmidt, P.S., Kirk, K., Rea, R., & Virgin, K. (AY 2024-2025). Using Primary Sources to Support Civically Engaged Argument Writing in K-12 Classrooms: Partnership with Philadelphia, Boston, and St. Louis Writing Projects. Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Grant, U.S. Library of Congress. Awarded $8,200

Kruger-Ross, M., Schmidt, P.S., & Thoman, K.C. (Summer 2024). Exploring the Integration of Place-Based Pedagogies in the Classroom. Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI), WCU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Awarded $2500 for student and $2000 for faculty

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (AY 2023-2024). Blending Place- and Arts-Based Pedagogies & Experiences to Develop Pre-Service Teachers’ Creativity & Imagination; Guided Travel to Washington, DC. Provost Research Grant (PRG), West Chester University. Awarded $9,821

Kruger-Ross, M., & Schmidt, P.S. (AY 2023-2024). Blending Place- and Arts-Based Pedagogies & Experiences to Develop Pre-Service Teachers’ Creativity & Imagination; Guided Travel to New York City. Committee for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) Professional Development Funds, West Chester University. Awarded $2000

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (AY 2023-2024). Blending Place- and Arts-Based Pedagogies & Experiences to Develop Pre-Service Teachers’ Creativity & Imagination; Guided Travel to Philadelphia, PA. College of Education and Social Work (CESW) Research Grant, West Chester University. Awarded $3000

Kruger-Ross, M., Schmidt, P.S., & Rubas, A. (Summer 2023). Exploring the Integration of Arts-Based Pedagogies in the Classroom. Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI), WCU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Awarded $2500 for student and $2000 for faculty

Schmidt, P.S. (AY 2020-2021). Self Study: Arts-Based Teacher Field Trips. Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award, Academic Recognition Committee. West Chester University. Awarded $4000

Jester, J., Virgin, K., & Schmidt, P.S. (AY 2018-2019). Professional Development in Kennett Middle School. College, Career, and Community Writers Program (C3WP) SEED Grant. National Writing Project, Awarded $20,000

Schmidt, P.S. (2016). Student Attendance at NCTE in Atlanta, GA. Research and Creative Activities Grant, College of Arts and Humanities. West Chester University. Awarded $6000

Schmidt, P.S. (2014). Student Attendance at NCTE in Washington DC. Grant for Student Engagement, College of Arts and Sciences. West Chester University. Awarded $7000 

Schmidt, P.S. (2025, November 14). Putting English at the Center of your Professional Life.  National English Honor Society. Abington High School, PA.

Schmidt, P.S. (2025, October 16). Cultivating Collegial Connections [Keynote Speech]. Iowa Council of Teachers of English Conference:  Fact, Fiction, and the Future: Teaching Truth in a Digital World. Johnstown, IA.

 Schmidt, P.S. (2025, February 7). Cultivating Creativity and Connections with Colleagues [Keynote Speech]. Georgia Council of Teachers of English Conference:  Making Space: Expanding Pedagogies, Practices, & Partnerships. Pine Mountain, GA. 

Gregorio, I.W., Rafferty, L., Schmidt, P.S., Thornburgh, B., Walton, K.M., and Valentine, N. (2024, September 24). Celebrate the #FreedomToRead  [Educator/Panelist]. Barnes & Noble, Exton, PA.

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2024, June 24). Multimodal Literacies: FIMS in the Classroom. Millersville University Summer Literacy Institute.

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2023, October 25). Digital Literacies in Secondary Classrooms. Kennett Consolidated School District Professional Development Day.

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2023, April 19). Multimodal Literacies: Technology for the ELA Classroom [Online Webinar]. Keystone State Literacy Association. 

Kruger-Ross, M., & Schmidt, P.S. (2023, April 5). Multimodal Literacies: Technology for the ELA Classroom [Online Webinar]. SUNY New Paltz Methods Class.

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2022, November 2). ODLI On Air Podcast Interview. Office of Digital Learning and Innovation, West Chester University. West Chester, PA. [ link ]  

Schmidt, P.S., & Kruger-Ross, M. (2022, October 22). Cultivating Creativity and Connections with Colleagues [Keynote Speech]. Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English Language Arts Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. 

Schmidt, P.S. (2021, May 25). Virtual Member Gathering [Author Interview: Nedra Tawwab].  National Council of Teachers of English. [ link ] 

Schmidt, P.S., Ahmed, S., Jensen, K., & Mathieu, J. (2017, November 21). The Women are Coming [Panel Moderation]. ALAN Workshop, St. Louis, MO. 

Schmidt, P.S., & Fanaro, L. (2009, November 21). Beyond Secondary Roles: What the Women of the Canon Teach Today's Girls [Special Interest Group Speaker]. WILLA at the National Council of Teachers of English, Philadelphia, PA.  

Dr. Schmidt serves as the 4th Director of the West Chester Writing Project here at WCUPA. She co-lead a Study Abroad trip to London and surrounding areas in May 2024 and is currently recruiting for a Study Abroad trip to the Netherlands in May 2027.  She is currently engaged in research that focuses on providing quality professional development for teachers that uses Library of Congress resources and strategies for Teaching with Primary Sources. 

Originally from Buffalo, NY,  Dr. Schmidt is an active working mother of two young adults and a mini-goldendoodle named Bailey! She loves reading, writing, traveling, and seeing Broadway shows. Her love of theater and inclusive education culminates in her work with a local nonprofit, Acting Antics, where she serves as the current Board President for the organization.