Robert Little

From a small farm in Mississippi to a leading voice in Title I elementary education, Robert Little, Ph.D., exemplifies the transformative power of the SMART Framework he developed. Born and raised in an under-resourced community, Dr. Little learned the values of self-discipline, resilience, and determination through daily farm chores and the unwavering expectations of parents who believed deeply in education despite never completing high school themselves.

The SMART Framework, which Dr. Little developed through years of research and classroom practice, identifies the foundational capacities children need to thrive in Title I elementary schools: Self-assured, Motivated, Academically Successful, Resilient, and Thinkers.

His signature presentation, "DreamPower," has inspired audiences nationwide through student assemblies, parental involvement workshops, and professional development sessions for educators. Through SMARTForward, he continues to deliver "DreamPower" assemblies to elementary students alongside his work with parents, educators, and community stakeholders.

As an accomplished author, Dr. Little has written The SMART Framework: A Guide for Raising and Educating Children in Title I Elementary Schools and SCHOOLING JAMAAL: Using the SMART Framework to Raise and Educate Black Boys in Title I Elementary Schools. He co-authored DREAMPOWER: Using Life Lessons, Research-Based Practices, and the Psychology of Motivation to Win in Education with Dr. Joy Gorham Hervey, and is the author of Spoken Success: Understanding the Art of Public Speaking. In addition, he has written four children's picture books that were accepted into the Accelerated Reader Program and adopted in schools nationwide: What CAN I Be?, Jamaal's LUCKY Day!, Grandma's Biscuits, and FUN DAY in Mrs. Walker's Class.

Dr. Little holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a focus on Human Motivation and Positive Psychology. His doctoral research addresses critical gaps in understanding what enables Title I elementary school students to thrive academically. He previously served as a 5th-grade teacher at a Title I elementary school where 100% of students received free or reduced lunch, allowing him to directly apply his framework in a classroom environment that mirrored his own educational background.

Currently, Dr. Little is the Founder and Executive Director of SMARTForward Initiative, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers SMART Framework training to parents, educators, and community stakeholders serving children in Title I elementary schools. The organization works with Title I elementary schools primarily in the Southeast, with expanding national reach, focusing on evidence-informed approaches that promote literacy, academic excellence, and the social-emotional development of elementary-aged students.

Dr. Little's work represents a unique integration of personal experience, professional practice, and academic research, providing a comprehensive foundation for supporting every child's potential while maintaining practical optimism about positive change. His SMART Framework offers both inspiration and a research-grounded template for developing the foundational capacities young students need to thrive in Title I elementary schools, making him a sought-after speaker and consultant.