Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Steel
Hi Shelby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey there! So nice to virtually meet you, well, I launched my teaching journey with Teach For America in 2006. The moment I stepped into a classroom in the Bronx, working with middle school students, I instantly fell in love. So much so, that during our end-of-summer ceremony, I was invited to share my experiences. The leadership remarked that they rarely saw such joy in a corps member during the grueling and rigorous summer Institute, which made me chuckle. But truly, I was captivated and enamored with all aspects of teaching. I cherished collaborating with fellow educators (they are my people), engaging with the students, embracing the city, teaching Language Arts, and connecting with middle schoolers. It was a challenging yet dreamlike experience. I discovered how something can be both incredibly tough and wonderfully beautiful at the same time. Initially, I was assigned to the Lower East Side as an 8th grade English teacher, later transitioning to teach both 7th and 8th grades. Eventually, I moved to a charter school, where I had the opportunity to work with small groups of students, focusing on Phonics for grades 5 through 8, with my primary grade being 7th. Since the moment that I fell in love with education, I have traveled through New York, DC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and now Atlanta in my educational journey. Now, in Atlanta, I am the co-creator of two outdoor nature-based programs, Gather Forest School and GrassRoots Middle School.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, my educational journey has been fairly smooth, and also as challenging as one might expect from teaching, nonprofit educational reform, and, now, micro-school creation. Emotionally it’s been a rollercoaster ride with high highs and low lows. In the traditional classroom, I was able to support my students through some of life’s toughest challenges and also celebrate their extraordinary achievements. On the other hand in this season, everything with our students is smooth sailing, but balancing life with the job is not always easy. My head stays in the clouds and I think about work (which includes my sons’ educational journey) all the time. And now that I’m working alongside my husband, it’s tempting to work from dawn until dusk. Although I’ve managed to find some balance over the past two weeks, maintaining this equilibrium is an ongoing challenge for me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What a fantastic question! Together with Ashley Causey-Golden, we established Gather Forest School for children aged 4 to 13. Our micro-school operates entirely outdoors, focusing on teaching kids about the interconnectedness of the environment and its inhabitants. While we cover all core subjects, we place a strong emphasis on the arts, science, and storytelling. Our curriculum centers on the experiences of Black children, ensuring that the books we read, the figures we study, and the projects we undertake all reflect and celebrate our students and the world around them. We strive to ensure that our students can see themselves or others who appreciate and honor them in everything we do. This year, my husband Mike Steel and I created a middle school program, GrassRoots Middle, that builds on the foundational lessons from Gather, expanding into discussions on environmental justice, service, business, economics, and both national and international studies. Additionally, we integrate art, handwork, and creativity into every facet of our classes.I draw immense inspiration from numerous remarkable educators, but my greatest hero is undoubtedly Mary McLeod Bethune!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Oh no! I am such an open book. I have nothing! But I have this intense need to answer all questions, lol.
Sooo…errr… I’ve come to realize that I can only stay at home for about two days max before I need to venture out. This is quite surprising, as I often pride myself on being a homebody. Also, when I see educators who embrace progressive learning, blending art, nature, handwork, poetry, and reading, I imagine they enjoy being at home most of the time (an academic hibernation of sorts), especially those in homeschool. But, yes, I find myself needing to explore the outdoors and to go canping, and also visit museums, libraries, science centers, restaurants, and cafes outside of work. I draw so much inspiration from my surroundings and the time constraints created by leaving the house allows me to be more productive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grassrootsmiddle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gather.school/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrassRootsMiddle
