About Founder

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Shonta Harrell grew up a military child, but eventually settled in Montgomery, AL once her family retired from the army. After graduating college (for the fourth time) Dr. Harrell decided to relocate to north Alabama in 2021. She is currently a highly qualified certified teacher in the state of Alabama and serves the Jefferson County Area. She has a daughter named Lake and a Shih Tzu named Rocky. She enjoys hanging out with her family, exploring her new city, and traveling.

Since early in her career, Dr. Harrell has been an exemplar teacher. Her dedication to the field of education has rewarded her with great opportunities. While exploring these opportunities, Dr. Harrell became inspired to take her career to the next level. Hence, Harrell Academy was born. Dr. Harrell wants those who attend Harrell Academy to become inspired about learning, and receive academic support like no other tutoring services on the market today.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

  • High School Diploma, (Robert E. Lee High School-Montgomery, AL, 2004)

  • Bachelor's Degree, Early Childhood/ Elementary Education (Auburn University Montgomery, 2009)

  • Master's Degree, Elementary Education (Auburn University Montgomery, 2014)

  • Master's Degree, Instructional Leadership (Auburn University Montgomery, 2016)

  • Doctor of Education, Instructional Leadership, Policy and Law (Alabama State University, 2019)

    • Dissertation Topic: Effective Ways to Integrate Technology as Identified by the Experiences and Perceptions of Educators in a Non-Traditional Elementary STEM Program: A Case Study.

PUBLISHED AUTHOR:

    • Harrell, S. & Bynum, Y. (2018). Factors affecting technology integration in the classroom. Alabama Journal of Educational Leadership, 5, 12-18.

Regional/State Peer-Reviewed Presentations:

    • Alabama Educational Technology Conference (AETC) Spring conference, Mobile, AL., June 12-14, 2019.

    • Harrell, S. & Bynum, Y. (2018). Factors affecting technology integration in the classroom. Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (AAPEL) Spring conference, Montgomery, AL., February 15-17, 2018.

    • Harrell, S. & Bynum, Y. (2017). Teacher’s perceptions of using technology in the classroom: Millennials vs. gen x. Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (AAPEL) Spring conference, Montgomery, AL. February 15-17, 2017.


EXPERIENCED EDUCATOR:

  • Over a decade in the field of education

  • Taught grades:

    • 2nd, 3rd-6th

    • Tutored K-6

Served as:

    • Classroom Teacher

    • Coding/ Robotics Teacher

    • Enrichment Site Coordinator

    • Science Olympiad Coach

    • Technology Liaison

    • District Mentor Teacher

    • Online Mentor Teacher

    • Professional Development Resource Teacher

    • Interventionist

    • Global Studies: South Korea Participant

Global Studies: South Korea

Global Studies: South Korea is an outreach program sponsored by Korean automotive companies located in East Alabama, all in the vicinity of Auburn, Alabama.

The program goals are to help teachers and administrators in Alabama:

  • increase knowledge of Korean culture and Korean educational systems;

  • promote appreciation of diversity and global education; and

  • develop skills and knowledge to teach Korean culture and the value of diversity to students.


PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

The program activities include:

  • Orientation of Korean education & cultures (Spring semester)

  • Korea visit (Late May- Early June): School visits, university lectures, guided visits to historically significant sites, cultural exchanges, and visits to Korean automobile companies

DONORS

AJIN USA; Daewon America LLC; Donghee; Hanwha L&C Alabama; Hyundai Polytech America Company; Hyundai Sungwoo Auto; Iljin Alabama; LeeHan America; Mando America Corporation; Seohan Auto US; SCA Inc.; the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology; the College of Education; and Outreach at Auburn University.

Source: http://www.education.auburn.edu/initiatives/global-studies-south-korea