Shawna graduated from Kewanee High School before attending Western Illinois University, where she earned dual certification in elementary and special education, with endorsements in Social Sciences and English Language Arts (ELA). She is a Licensed Special Education Teacher (LBS1) and spent over 10 years teaching in public schools before deciding to stay home with her young children.

During this season of life, Shawna continued pursuing her passion for education by earning her Master of Education in Special Education and becoming a Board Certified Advocate for Special Education (BCASE). She also created the Behavior Support Toolbox, an online course designed to help educators better understand student behavior, recognize underlying needs, and find practical ways to help children learn and thrive.

Staying home with her children has given Shawna a new appreciation for the little moments that make learning meaningful. She loves watching children explore, ask questions, learn through play, and discover new things for themselves. Shawna believes every child is uniquely created by God with individual gifts and strengths. She is passionate about helping children discover those gifts, grow in confidence, develop a love of learning, and build a strong foundation of faith.

Shawna, her husband, Brian, and their three children live on a farm and are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manito. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, playing with their dogs, driving toy and real tractors, fixing things up around the farm, raising animals, and volunteering at the animal shelter. They also love sharing a good meal and simply being together.

In her spare time, Shawna enjoys tending to her flowers, crafting, reading, designing teacher resources, and cheering on her children at their activities, including cross country. She is excited to return to the classroom, bringing her years of teaching experience, her perspective as a mother, and her passion for helping children learn, grow, and discover their God-given gifts.