Erin Shadowens believes in the power of school communities to provide children with rich and robust educational experiences. She spent 10 years teaching every grade from K–3, discovering in that time that every child, no matter how young, is capable of taking on academic challenges. Her classroom work was recognized with the 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award from Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance). After 10 years in the classroom, Erin moved into a school leadership role. She now serves as the Director of Lower School at Brooklyn Prospect Downtown Elementary. More of Erin's education-related writing is available at on her website.