Bathsheba Smithen: Transforming Education for All Learners

Pictured: A yellow pencil-shaped sign on a wall displays the words "LOVE TO LEARN". Credit: Unsplash

Embracing Neurodiversity in Education

Conventional education systems often marginalize learners with cognitive differences by prioritizing uniformity and compliance over adaptability and inclusion. Neurodivergent students, those with autism spectrum variation, ADHD, dyslexia, and related neurological variations, are disproportionately underrepresented in literacy success metrics. Standardized environments frequently overlook how unique neurological wiring impacts comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary acquisition. This Autism Acceptance Month, PBS and WHUT highlight the importance of creating neuro-inclusive literacy environments that cater to the diverse needs of all learners.

Bathsheba Smithen: Visionary Leader and Advocate

Pictured: Bathsheba Smithen. Credit: Bathsheba Smithen.

Bathsheba Smithen, the founder and CEO of Cage Free Voices®, is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming how we teach, inspire, and uplift all learners, both neurotypical and neurodivergent. With over 15 years of experience as a curriculum developer, ELA and Social Studies teacher, professor, and performing artist, Bathsheba has designed programs that bridge entertainment and education while producing measurable academic impact. Her deep roots in the performing arts and spoken word shape the heart of CFV, using storytelling, rhythm, and truth to inspire and empower underserved and misunderstood youth.

Cage Free Voices: A Holistic Approach

Cage Free Voices (CFV) challenges outdated educational paradigms with a holistic model grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and the Science of Reading. Developed over five years across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Nigeria, the CFV model integrates science, story, and sound to create inclusive literacy ecosystems that are both effective and empowering. By embracing the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent learners, CFV fosters an environment where every student can thrive.