Faces of NLU: Meet Shauntell Dudley

A Chicago teacher discusses how she learned to teach the “whole child” at NLU and how she used her My Teacher. My Hero grant money in her classroom.

At National Louis University (NLU), teacher education is central to both our history and current mission. NLU began as a university for kindergarten teachers in 1886, and ever since, we’ve been a champion of teacher education and support. To show our appreciation for teachers, NLU launched the My Teacher. My Hero grant for Chicago-area teachers who are enrolled in a degree program at the National College of Education (NCE). The grant awards $500 to selected teachers which they can put toward classroom materials.

Shauntell Dudley is one student who earned a My Teacher. My Hero grant in Fall 2022. She has earned her M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education and Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with Advanced Professional Specializations at NLU, and is currently in the NDS Program for ESL/Bilingual endorsement. Shauntell says she initially chose to attend NLU initially because of what she had heard from alumni.

“So many people that I knew attended National Louis had such positive experiences, were successful in their careers and continue to be lifelong learners,” Shauntell says. “I originally enrolled in National Louis in 2010 and revisited the campus in 2019.”

Shauntell has been pleased with the education she received at NLU, explaining that her courses taught her how to connect with a wide range of students and consider each student’s unique strengths and challenges.

“NLU has provided the foundation for me as an educator to want to teach the ‘whole child.’  I have also learned the importance of making connections with children by using different learning styles to meet the needs of each child,” she says.

Shauntell explains that earning her degree while also being a first-time teacher was not easy, and she had to learn to rely on support around her during difficult times:

“I had various personal circumstances that made it a little more challenging for me to stay focused. This was in addition to being a first year teacher and a full time student completing school. I was determined to stay the course by not being prideful and asking and receiving support from family, peers, and mentors. I also reached out to my professors for any additional support or resources they were able to provide. In the beginning I was apprehensive about reaching out to my professors but found that they were extremely supportive.”

She encourages her fellow NLU students to rely on professors when they’re struggling, just as she did.

“National Louis professors want you to succeed,” she says. “I can’t stress enough how supportive and encouraging they are. There were a few times I thought I took on too much but I was supported not only by them by my classmates as well.”

Describing her future career as “limitless,” Shauntell has her sights set on becoming a mentor for fellow teachers in the years to come.

“Since completing my degree I have become a teacher of record for my school district. I would like to eventually use my degree to hone in on my skills to become a learning coach or classroom mentor,” Shauntell says.

Shauntell would also like to eventually serve on an advisory board to advocate for children’s needs:

“In five years, I see myself a part of a committee, cohort, or on a board that advocates for children of all abilities. I would like to be a part of making or changing policies that will benefit all children with various needs. I would also like to be enrolled in a program to earn a doctoral degree.”

So how did she use that $500 My Teacher. My Hero grant? Shauntell says she used the money to buy materials that will give her students more choice and independence in the classroom.

“The $500 provided supplies for the classroom to help organize the curriculum supports and materials,” Shauntell says. “This structure allowed children more independence in choices throughout the classroom environment, a variety of self-selected options in the interest areas, and an opportunity to engage in child-initiated learning.”

At NLU, we thank Shauntell and all teachers out there for being heroes. Keep inspiring and empowering your students!

Learn more about the My Teacher. My Hero grant. You can also explore all of our degree programs for teachers. If you would like to learn more about any of NLU’s programs, please contact us online or call (888) 658-8632, and an Enrollment Specialist will be ready to discuss your educational and professional goals.