Layla Smallwood-Gabrielle

Regional Program Specialist at The Center for Historic Preservation

layla.smallwood@mtsu.edu

Dr. Layla Smallwood-Gabrielle is the Regional Program Specialist for the Teaching with Primary Sources Southern Region (TPS-SR) at Middle Tennessee State University, a Library of Congress program. In this role, she works directly with partners throughout the Southern Region to promote educational resources and opportunities through the Library of Congress. TPS-MTSU offers online educational materials, such as lesson plans and primary source sets, as well as professional development opportunities, such as workshops and webinars.

Layla received her B.S. from Tennessee Technological University, and her M.Ed. (focus in secondary social studies education) and Ph.D. in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University. She has taught secondary and post-secondary history courses and previously worked with TPS-MTSU throughout her time as a graduate research assistant with the Center for Historic Preservation. She completed her Ph.D. Professional Residency in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the East Tennessee Historical Society’s education team.

Prior to returning to the Center and TPS-SR in 2025, Layla worked as the Director of Student Programs and Exchanges for Sister Cities of Nashville. Her research interests include the interpretation and education practices surrounding difficult history at museums and heritage sites, material culture studies, cemetery preservation, and international best education practices.