Long-time Elkhart educator Don Metzler-Smith understands the challenges facing Hoosier families today.

Metzler-Smith currently runs a tutoring service for at-risk adolescents and young adults, including those who are emotionally or learning disabled. He is also an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech and previously taught American Government at Goshen Night High School, Alternative School for Ombudsman Educational Services, the first semester of Merit Learning Center’s existence and Bashor Residential School for a total of 16 years. 

He also served as the Elkhart County Democratic Party Chair from 2000 until 2005.

Metzler-Smith earned his B.A. from Goshen College and his certification in Secondary Social Studies and M.S. in Education from Indiana University-South Bend. He and his wife Joyce, who chairs the UAW retirees in Region 2, have been married since last March. Between them, they have eight grown children.