Donald Schmitt studied at the School of Architecture at the University of Toronto, receiving a Bachelor of Architecture in 1978. He received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Medal in his thesis year. He went on to teach at the University of Toronto as a sessional lecturer and Adjunct professor at the School of Architecture, University of Toronto from 1985 to 1992. He also taught at the School of Architecture, Technical University of Nova Scotia from 1989 to 1992. Schmitt was the founding chair of the Public Art Commission in the City of Toronto, a professional advisor to the international competition Housing on Toronto's Main Streets', has served on numerous architectural selection juries, and in 1993 was awarded the City of Toronto Civic Medal of Service.