Professional Background…
The power of relationships.
Hello, Everyone. I believe that relationships are fundamental for growth and that listening is the strength of every relationship. Lasting relationships are not easy. They require honesty, authenticity, mutual commitment, plus time, patience, empathy, and humor, lots of humor. Trusting relationships have great rewards. Our kids become empowered, achieve self-confidence, independence, social/emotional well-being, and academic success. It is the ultimate satisfaction.
Two degrees and elementary school.
Dr. Schell earned an undergraduate degree in communications from Simmons University. Her journey in education began as a dedicated advocate for her son. Education became a career when she earned a Master’s degree in special education from Salem State University and accepted her first position as a 4th grade teacher in a multicultural urban school near Boston.
Administration degree, middle school, and relevance.
A few years later, Dr. Schell earned a C.A.G.S. in administration also from Salem State University. Her thesis explored how incorporating student interests and pop culture can make curriculum relevant and engaging. At this time, as Director of the Learning Center at an urban middle school north of Boston, Dr. Schell used her findings to develop personalized academic supports for students on IEPs.
And now…
Education is my passion. My mission is to help students learn from and cope with their challenges, build on their strengths, pursue their dreams, and take pride in their own value.
It is up to us – the adults in their lives - to listen to our kids and enrich learning with issues and ideas that are relevant and important to them. In my experience, when students are empowered to express themselves, they will also listen to and appreciate the views of others. They will hold themselves to high expectations and, with growing independence, move toward becoming happy, effective, good, and caring citizens.
Currently, in addition to her work, Dr. Schell serves as Co-Chairperson for the SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council) in her home town..
Doctorate, high school, university, and an intentional culture of learning.
While teaching both at an urban, multicultural high school and as an adjunct professor at a state university, Dr. Schell earned a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University. Through the lived experiences and voices of educator participants, her research explored how schools – although very different from each other – used the same set of core values to establish an intentional culture of learning that empowers and motivates students to persist and achieve academic and social success.
Then…
Before she became an educator, Dr. Schell enjoyed a successful career as an advertising executive. She also wrote four critically acclaimed international diet cookbooks and then, created and ran a specialty food company which, like her books, had the twin objectives of good taste and good health.
