I came to know Shauna through her instagram, Teach for the Culture. The first thing I ever saw was a tshirt that said, “Joy and Learning Must Co-exist,” something I’ve taken on as a bit of a mantra if you remember Peter’s episode earlier this season. Her merch was so cute I loved seeing new things as she added them every couple of weeks. What I found myself doing, however, was sticking around not for her merch, but for her message. Straight, unapologetic talk to teachers in service to our kids. It didn’t take long to know that Shauna was my people. And when I decided to dedicate a season to normalizing joy, I thanked my lucky stars for the DM feature on Instagram and then, again, when she returned my message. 

Shauna issues several calls to action in this episode that I wholeheartedly co-sign. And if you legs get a little wobbly, go to her merch shop and get yourself a shirt or a hoodie to remind yourself and others just what you’re here to do: Serve our kids with joy, which means also serving them with the love they deserve.