Shauna Stephanchick
Shauna Stephanchick is the founder and president of STEP Up Consulting, a company she launched in 2017 following a distinguished 20-year career in education. Her background includes roles as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, principal, and state-level consultant with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In her role as a PLC consultant and ELA content specialist, Shauna played a key part in helping five schools earn the distinction of PLC Exemplar Schools of Missouri. Her experiences across urban, suburban, and rural districts have given her a broad and nuanced understanding of educational systems and student needs.
At the core of Shauna’s work is a firm belief that every student deserves an equitable and high-quality education. Through STEP Up Consulting, she supports school districts in implementing guaranteed and viable curricula by providing state-specific products, strategic coaching, and professional development. Her coaching style is known for being both fun and impactful, and she is deeply committed to transforming teaching practices to improve student outcomes.
• Ed.S
• University of Central Missouri
• Drury University
• MidAmerica Nazarene University- Master's
• Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge
What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my work success to my strong faith and calling to public education. In addition, I have an incredibly supportive family and a wildly talented group of educators who have chosen to work at STEP Up. The wake up each day with a passion and dedication to create meaningful product and facilitate effective trainings and coaching sessions with teachers in Missouri.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I once read an anonymous quote that read, "Don't ask your self what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. What the world needs is people who come alive." This quote captured my goal of wanting to have work that I love but that also positively impacted all of those around me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be prepared to work harder than you ever thought you would for the joy of making a bigger impact than you ever thought you would.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges facing education right now is keeping talented teachers in the field. Communities need to be doing everything they can to keep talented and inspired educators within the four walls of schools in an effort to guarantee great learning experiences for kids. I truly believe the opportunity to a high-quality education should be a right to all students. In order to make that a reality, schools must be equipped to provided all of their teachers with clarity of what students should be learning and they need talented teachers to deliver it. All educational partners and community should be working as hard as they can to ensure those two things are happening in all schools in all of America.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value my relationship with God, my husband, children and close friends. I also believe in professional and personal callings. I believe that my professional calling is in the field of education and I want to work within it as long as possible trying to good things for teachers and students.