Shanaya Shoats(she/her)
Shanaya Shoats was born and raised in Philadelphia and the youngest of 13. Shanaya received her bachelor’s degree in child development and family relations with a double minor in child and school psychology/ human services.
Shanaya fell in love with teaching when she was 14 years old when she was a part of WINS (Women in Natural Sciences) through the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University. Back then, she never knew the love she would have today for teaching children and helping families. During her time at WINS she was able to establish what is now called their “Big Sister” program, where older girls in the program help guide and mentor younger girls coming into the program and entering high school. After putting the pieces together to make this partnership a success, Shanaya knew she wasn’t stopping: mentoring and teaching had become her ultimate goal.
Shanaya has been in and out of the family studies world, working as a family advocate, a classroom teacher, and assistant in a preschool setting. Shanaya then explored the wonderful world of administration and became a director of a childcare center where she found her love of OST. She has since become a manager for OST programs for the last four years throughout the city of Philadelphia. Giving students a safe space outside of the academics aspect of school has shown them that there are more reasons to come to school and stay in school. Giving children the safe spaces they need to succeed will always be one Shanaya’s biggest goals, since school is more than just academics.