Tanisha Stanciel, Ed.D
Tanisha Stanciel, Ed.D is a passionate educator and leader with 16 years of experience spanning special education, general education, and school administration. She currently serves as Principal of the Maplewood‑Richmond Heights Early Childhood Center, where she is in her fourth year of leadership. Dr. Stanciel began her career in education in 2011 after earning a degree in public relations from Missouri Western State University. Her first role as a paraprofessional in an alternative center inspired her to pursue a master’s degree and certification in special education, setting her on a path of transformative impact for students across St. Louis.
Throughout her career, Dr. Stanciel has held diverse roles, including special education teacher, process coordinator, director of student services, assistant principal, and principal, in both charter schools and traditional districts. A highlight of her journey was at Arch Community School, where she and her team increased student literacy rates from 10% to 60% and achieved top 20 statewide growth in math. She is committed to creating supportive learning environments, focusing on early intervention, equity, and ensuring that every child and family feels a sense of belonging. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, proactive problem-solving, and building strong relationships with students, families, and staff.
Dr. Stanciel earned her Doctor of Education in 2020, researching the home-to-prison pipeline and the importance of family engagement in education. She also holds her superintendent certification and an Education Specialist (Ed.S) in K–12 administration. Deeply invested in early childhood education, she believes in the power of community and individualized support to set children on a path to lifelong success. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a mother and an advocate for families, guiding students and educators alike with empathy, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
• Social and Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
• K-12 Principal Certification
• Maryville University of Saint Louis - EdD
• Walden University - M.Ed. in SPED
• Missouri Western State University - BA Comm
• Top 20 in Missouri for Math Growth at Arch Community School
• Iota Phi Lambda Sorority
• National Alopecia Areata Foundation Support Group Leader
• Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders
• Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Community Service
• National Alopecia Areata Foundation Support Group Leadership
• Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis, Herbert Hoover
What do you attribute your success to?
To mentors, a supportive "village" of friends and colleagues, collaborative school teams, and persistence/resilience.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the best career advice I’ve received has come from mentors who have guided and challenged me throughout my journey. Dr. Jana Schaefer-Starwalt, Bill Schiller, Dr. Lisa Small, and Dr. Benita Jameson encouraged me to pursue administrative certification, doctoral studies, and leadership opportunities in education. In particular, Dr. Schaefer-Starwalt’s guidance to pursue both my administrative certification and later my doctorate was pivotal, shaping my path and helping me grow into the school leader I am today.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you are told you lack experience for an opportunity, determine exactly what experience or credentials you need and pursue them proactively. Build your village: mentors and professional supporters are central to long-term success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges: working in urban and charter school environments with high community needs and instability (e.g., school closures despite academic gains); addressing systemic factors that push students toward punitive outcomes.
Opportunities: strengthening family engagement and early intervention systems to support students before gaps widen.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are resilience, authenticity, service to community, and ensuring every child feels supported and belongs. I am driven by the belief that if every child has just one person in their “village” who cares about their educational journey, they are more likely to succeed—an idea that shaped my doctoral research on the home-to-prison pipeline. I am passionate about creating schools where students feel safe, valued, and capable of achieving what others might think impossible, especially those facing challenges or adversity. In my personal life, authenticity and representation are central; living with alopecia areata, I embrace my natural self and aim to show others that they can thrive despite challenges. I also deeply value family and community, drawing strength from the village I have built, supporting my son through his senior year, sharing a love of cooking and travel, and using my experiences to help others navigate and overcome obstacles.