Yehudis Smith, M.S.Ed is an Early Childhood Education Leadership Consultant and founder of the Capacity-First Framework, partnering with directors, leadership teams, and educators nationwide to strengthen organizational culture, leadership clarity, and sustainable capacity. Her work focuses on emotionally responsive leadership, regulation-informed decision making, and designing school systems that absorb stress rather than transfer it - while also equipping teachers with practical, relationship-based strategies that support children’s regulation and learning.
She serves as the Director of Early Childhood at CAJE Miami, where she supports a network of 30 early childhood programs across Miami-Dade County, guiding directors in leadership development, staff culture, and professional growth.
With more than 20 years in the field, Yehudis brings deep expertise in child development, behavior guidance, and leadership psychology. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in Early Childhood Education and is currently a doctoral candidate in Early Childhood Educational Leadership at American Jewish University. She is the author of Rethinking Discipline and a frequent national presenter on leadership and emotionally responsive practice. She lives in Coral Springs with her husband and 5 children.
