Welcome to Coach Smedley’s Training Center
My Approach Is Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed, and Poverty Informed
These principles guide our training model as helping professionals learn to effectively work with marginalized groups. Our logo symbolizes these three core principles - evidence based, trauma informed, and poverty informed. Practitioners will be well prepared for student or client engagement. Our primary focus is on correctional settings, however, professionals from other related fields including recovery, social work, etc. will benefit from our training.
For over 20 years Coach Smedley has worked within multidisciplinary settings. Her approach to training is holistic and includes best practices from criminal justice, workforce development, and adult education. She has developed workshops, books, and classroom tools that are the foundation of our training programs.
What Makes Our Program Effective
Our team of dynamic workshop presenters include highly skilled subject matter experts.
We have delivered over 150 conference presentations across the United States since 2012
Our training workshops are hands-on, practical, and incorporate all learning styles
“I have known Alisa (Coach) Smedley for about 10 years now! Coach has presented several times at the New Jersey Correctional Education Association Chapter Annual Staff Development Day and at 4 different Annual Region 1 Correctional Education Association conferences! Whether it is a hands-on workshop where Alisa shares different classroom activities that inspire the participants to discover dynamic teaching techniques to motivate their students or as a motivational keynote speaker, Coach Smedley always hits it out of the park! As a presenter and conference chair for over twenty state and regional conferences, I highly recommend Ms. Smedley because she always receives the highest evaluations from the attendees!”
Kevin K.
“Coach Smedley is fiercely committed to her work with the re-entry program. A person of vision, she is practical and honest in her approaches and at the same time is an amazingly innovative thinker. Her heart, head, and spirit are in total alignment and her passion is contagious. She is 100% committed to making sure her clients don't end up back in jail.”
Jeff M.
“Alisa, is a dynamic facilitator and presenter. She brings innovative approaches to delivering information to a diverse group and she keeps their attention. Alisa has a welcoming spirit and her demeanor is open and refreshing. It was a pleasure working with her and my group has requested that she visit again.”
Staci P.
“While working in Montgomery County, I had the privilege of accompanying Alisa "Coach" Smedley into the Montgomery County Correctional Facility on several occasions. Alisa brings imagination, high standards, dignity, tough love, and expertise to her coaching. Throughout, Alisa models her love of learning. I witnessed her mission to instill this wonder, to inspire our overlooked brothers to envision--in the most practical of ways--how to live into one's best self. Year later in workforce reentry training now myself, "Coach Smedley" is the first professional I've turned to for research, innovation, hiring practices, and continuous improvement in this important field. I highly recommend any opportunity to collaborate with this dynamic consultant.”
Lindsey S.
“Alisa, is very passionate about her work in support of best practices for the corrections education community. She strives to provide and teach the most accurate information as it relates to corrections education. She is very comfortable presenting to large groups of people as well as workshops at conferences around the country. I have sought Alisa's assistance in obtaining the most recent corrections information and she always exceeds my expectations in her response. It gives me great pleasure to provide this recommendation for Ms. Smedley a true corrections education warrior.”
Todd D.
“Alisa's passion and expertise for her work are obvious within minutes of hearing her speak. She strongly believes in second chances, and she seemingly has an endless well of creative solutions to help people achieve their best. The first time I met Alisa was at an event where she was an invited speaker. Within the first few minutes of her presentation, you could hear a pin drop in the room because everyone was so engaged and focused on Alisa. She is extremely smart in every way necessary for not only her to achieve professionally, but to help any organization achieve their mission and goals.”
Phylliss L.
“It is with great pleasure and pride I state the meaningful contributions that Coach Alisa Smedley has made at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility - American Job Center and anywhere she delivers her life training session of John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. She has made and continues making profound contributions both in and out of the training room. Her drive for community service is motivated by a strong sense of social justice. I can say with confidence that Alisa is one of the most caring believers of social progress working for the common good. Her own personal experiences, along with her profound grasp on social justice, drives her advocacy work while making a difference for seekers of second chances. “
Susana M.
“For 5 years I provided volunteers to help pre-release employment readiness services that Alisa was responsible for delivering to her clients. She was absolutely brilliant! Every single day, she was compassionate yet demanding with her clients; always innovating, striving to create a more perfect way to meet each client where they were at yet bring them where she knows they need to be; patient when she needs to be but not a moment longer. I have witnessed her inspiring strength and commitment when dealing with a complex hierarchy that can often seem to be as difficult to wade through as is the job training curriculum to deliver. Alisa's ability to creatively use every resource that comes her way (including those unexpected gifts that our volunteers bring to the table) for the benefit of the program that she is delivering is mind-boggling and awe-inspiring!I cannot recommend Alisa more highly - and it was my pleasure to have shared what I know about this force of nature!”
Deb L.
Reviews
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Self-care and wellness are critical in the helping professions. If you need a trusted professional to brainstorm with, join Coach Smedley on a confidential call. Her knowledge, years of frontline experience, and wisdom will help. The call is free and all are welcome. No problem is too big or too small. Coach Smedley cares about your mental health and safety behind the wall.
