A native of Jamaica, Shakeba moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida where she earned a B.S. in Social Science Education and a M.A. in TESOL. She obtained a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership & Urban Education from Nova Southeastern University, where she researched the “Impact of Alternative Schools on Subsequent Student Behavior.” Shakeba has been an educator for eighteen years throughout Seminole and Orange County. After 12 years on the high school level, she joined the Orange County Public School’s Transformation Office to support fragile middle schools by building teacher capacity, curriculum development, and assessment item writing. Shakeba’s innovative approach to building student’s engagement and love for civics is called “Making Social Studies Social.” This is done through the facilitation of learning experiences and civil dialogue. Her work has earned her several awards, the most recent of which was Phi Delta Kappa’s “Gift of Teaching Award” for excellence in coaching teacher growth and student achievement. In addition to her “full-time” job, Shakeba is involved in the community and has helped with several local political campaigns. She has also completed the Guardians of Democracy program and is a current member of the Racial Equity in K12 Civics group. Shakeba is a wife and mom of two boys and an active member of the Hope Church. A servant at heart, Shakeba has served the community through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and by participating in ten mission trips to Haiti, Namibia, and India. She loves to read and is currently loving "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama. Her other interests include planning family events, walking, listening to contemporary christian music, spending time with loved ones and "trying" to keep the house clean.