Testimonials
"I ask Shana to collaborate with me on projects because her work ethic and intellect are unmatched. She genuinely cares about young people and their education and works hard to ensure that what she creates for them or teaches teachers in service of them is always high-quality and humanizing."
- Ayanna T., Founder of Access Educational Advisors
"I have had the opportunity to offer Shana’s Culturally Responsive Teaching Professional Development to two elementary schools in my district. Shana listened to the needs of both schools and planned professional development tailored to the needs of each school. Guided by Zaretta Hammond’s framework, Shana’s relatable nature and multi-year commitment builds trust amongst her and the staff and gives them the permission to be vulnerable as they explore their own identities and biases. She leads this work with an appreciation for where everyone is on their personal journey with culturally responsive teaching and provides food for thought through anecdotes, research, and book studies. Once staff identified how they were showing up for their students, pre-surveys were conducted to better understand the needs and a plan was developed with the schedule of the school in mind. I believe that Shana’s work is most impactful because she has an appreciation for the journey that individuals are on and uses pre- and post surveys as she plans for conversations that will challenge staff to be reflective regarding their practice and help them identify actionable ways they can monitor how they show up for their students. Staff in both buildings she has conducted professional development have embraced her sessions and found that her commitment to a year of sessions demonstrates her investment in building relationships with the staff to increase the likelihood that they will feel vulnerable and trust her when it is time to unpack the bravest conversations."
- Brenda C., Assistant Principal, Montclair Public Schools, NJ
"Over the last few years, you have been guiding our faculty and staff on a journey to learn how to be an anti-racist educator. Your work led them to better understand their biases and how they potentially play out in their classrooms. You chose books that were relatable and had an immediate impact in our classrooms. We look forward to our PD days with you."
- Nami K., Principal, Montclair Public Schools, NJ
"We proudly claim Shana Pyatt as a seasoned member of our annual Alternate Route Teachers' Conference faculty. She is a founding presenter who helped set the standard for what excellent facilitation looks like. Candidates and seasoned educators alike consistently rate her session very highly and have commented that she is an "excellent and engaging presenter," "a great demonstration of poise under pressure," and simply "amazing and very knowledgeable." Any school district or organization with an interest in seizing the opportunity to cultivate effective, transformational instruction for students should consider Shana deserving of your district/organization's investments."
- Heather R. Ngoma, Director, Alternate Route Teacher Program, Rutgers Graduate School of Education, NJ
"Shana Pyatt-Buckner is an extraordinary teacher of teachers. She is engaging, caring, personable, hands on and so incredibly knowledgeable! We had the privilege of having her lead our science pedagogy classes for our graduate students at the Relay Graduate School of Education. She consistently got great student survey data on her incredible knowledge of both science content and the teaching of science, as well as her ability to model great instruction. Equally impressive were her scores on building a positive classroom culture, and teaching with clarity and confidence. In addition to the data, it was always a joy to come and observe her sessions- they were so hands-on with live experiments, labs and detailed analysis for how to teach Next Generation Science Standards or inquiry- based methods applying the 5E method of Engaging, Exploring, Explaining, Elaborating and Evaluating. Graduate students were always so enthusiastic and engaged in their learning! Even as instruction moved on-line Shana, was still great at connecting with her teachers and making class exciting and interesting! She can work with any type of teacher and bring out their best- her classes are inclusive for a variety of abilities and experiences.
Before becoming a Dean at Relay, I was a principal for 18 years and strongly encourage school leaders to jump at the chance of having Shana Pyatt-Buckner lead PD for science teachers – it will be hands-on, engaging and centered in equity for all students. "
- James Verrilli, Dean. Relay Graduate School of Education
