Smith, B. Othanel

B. [Bunnie] Othanel Smith (19031989) was a teacher, school administrator, professor, and curriculum theorist. Smith's areas of influence include curriculum development, teacher education, teacher knowledge, educational philosophy, and educational measurement. Notably, Smith is known for advancing the concept of critical thinking, promoting the study of logic within the profession of teaching, and arguing for a focus on pedagogy in teacher education curriculum.

During the early years of his career, Smith worked in Florida high schools as a science teacher and principal. He was overwhelmed by disparate curricular models that he and other teachers encountered as part of their daily practice. Frustrated with the sheer number of models such as these, Smith rejected the idea that any one formula could prove to be a panacea for curricular ...