Michael Smith
Curriculum Developer, Chief Financial Officer, and Cofounder
Michael “Valentine” Smith (after “Valentine Michael Smith” of Stranger in a Strange Land) develops many of CFAR’s various training modules, and is also responsible for CFAR’s systems/databases. He is passionate about all forms of learning, from mathematics to Aikido (in which he holds a black belt), and how to engage as much of the mind as possible in the learning process.
During his joint PhD in math and science education from UC San Diego and San Diego State, Val’s research team worked under a National Science Foundation grant studying how mathematicians discuss their work and talk to each other, with particular attention to their gestures and body movements. In the language of Kahneman and Tversky, he is acutely aware of how a “System 2” (deliberate) process like mathematics depends on “System 1” (automatic/intuitive) processes like social instincts and motor functions.
Val also has experience educating other educators in numerous courses as a professor of record at San Diego State. This makes him an invaluable consultant to other CFAR instructors as they prepare their modules.