About – Shaneequa Personal Website

SHANEEQUA CASTLE

My trip to South Africa with One Heart Source, an education-based organization, solidified my passion for a path in education. As a proud alumna of Frederick Douglass High School in Prince George’s County, I have dedicated my career to making a meaningful impact in my community. This journey has profoundly shaped my approach to education, inspiring me to create transformative experiences for learners.

Currently, I serve as the Project Manager for Holistic Academic Innovation at DC Public Schools, where I lead the development of a comprehensive curriculum model that nurtures the social, emotional, and academic growth of diverse students. By integrating research-based practices and collaborating with Smithsonian Museums and community members, I design engaging, real-world learning experiences that resonate across various grade levels and content areas.

MY INTERVIEW

MY PUBLICATION

My sons are my guide, compass, inspiration, co-learners, and biggest fans.

Join me on this journey of discovery and growth. Together, we can create a brighter future.

Newspaper Feature

READ ABOUT ME

What people are SAYING

Bianca Duphey | Director, Academic Innovations at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

Manager, Secondary Advanced and Enriched Instruction at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

Shaneequa is a talented and passionate individual. Her work in leading the school district's Holistic Academic Model development included an human-centered design approach to insuring equity in and inclusion stakeholder voices. This included working with schools, teachers, and students across the school district and holding multiple modes of participation to adapt to various schedules and needs. She consistently speaks up to make sure that all voices have an opportunity to be at the table.

I was continuously impressed by Shaneequa;s ability to be flexible and adapt in times of uncertainty in her work. She jumped into a project that was partially started and fully owned it. She never let the challenges of starting and growing a new initiative stop her from being focused on meeting the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Shaneequa is a pleasure to work with. She brings joy and positivity into the work environment, everyday. Because of her positive spirit, her team members were always quick to support Shaneequa and collaborate with her to meet her larger goals.

October 11, 2024, Bianca managed Shaneequa directly

Rohan Dharan, M.Ed.

Manager, Secondary Advanced and Manager, Secondary Advanced and Enriched Instruction at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

Shaneequa single-handedly drove a multi-faceted effort to define a holistic academic model for our district. She connected with a wide range of stakeholders and designed unique opportunities to engage and collect feedback. I was particularly impressed by the townhall meetings that she organized to engage students, giving them a chance to weigh in on how they would like to see their school experience evolve. Shaneequa has a wide range of expertise in the education field and would be an asset to any organization that works in support of schools

October 11, 2024, Rohan worked with Shaneequa on the same teamOctober 11, 2024, Rohan worked with Shaneequa on the same team

Janeale Gottlieb-George

Manager, DC + XQ Secondary School Redesign at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

It’s my absolute pleasure to recommend Shaneequa Castle in her pursuit of new ventures in the field of education. Shaneequa and I collaborated closely at DCPS as part of the Academic Innovation team, where she led efforts that transformed how we approached holistic student development. Her work on holistic academic co-design was nothing short of visionary, and I witnessed firsthand how her leadership positively impacted our events and team collaboration. Shaneequa has a unique ability to blend creativity and strategy, ensuring that the programs she develops not only meet but exceed the needs of educators and students alike.

One of the most impressive aspects of her work is her dedication to ensuring that every solution she implements is scalable and sustainable. Whether it was leading professional development workshops or partnering with other teams, Shaneequa consistently delivered innovative solutions that improved the academic experiences of students across the district. Her deep understanding of curriculum development, coupled with her proficiency in educational technology, makes her an asset to any organization.

I have no doubt that she will continue to make significant contributions to the field, and I highly recommend her for any opportunity she pursues.

October 1, 2024, Janeale worked with Shaneequa on the same teamOctober 1, 2024, Janeale worked with Shaneequa on the same team It

Caroline Faircloth | September 30, 2024, Caroline worked with Shaneequa on the same team

Global Education SpecialistGlobal Education Specialist

I am pleased to recommend Shaneequa Castle, who excelled as the Holistic Academic Innovation Manager at DCPS. She displayed exceptional leadership, fostering collaboration with not only colleagues but also students and educators. Shaneequa demonstrated strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, co-designing the holistic academic framework and student outcomes. Shaneequa inspired and motivated colleagues with her enthusiasm and unwavering support, contributing significantly to our team's success. She is a skilled professional whose leadership and commitment to innovation make he an asset to any organization.

September 30, 2024, Caroline worked with Shaneequa on the same team

Sydney Huggins

Registered Nurse

It is my pleasure to write a recommendation for Shaneequa Castle. I worked closely with Ms. Castle during her role as Lead Teacher and Professional Development Facilitator at Leadership Prep Bedford Stuyvesant. Throughout our time working together, I have been in attendance of school-wide professional developments led by Ms. Castle. Ms. Castle is articulate, well‐read, and able to utilize her knowledge effectively as a professional development facilitator. All of Ms. Castle's professional developments were always organized, well-planned, and always gave teachers a plethora of strategies to reach students with different learning styles. I have also observed Ms. Castle as a Lead teacher for students with small-group instruction accommodations. Ms. Castle is a warm, engaging professional who is inclusive, consistently embraces students' curiosity, and fosters the love of learning in students. Ms. Castle also created and organized a school-wide event during black history month that was open for all students to participate in. During this culturally based event, students were able to showcase their creativity and talents in front of their families and peers. In conclusion, I am happy to give Ms. Castle my highest recommendation for your company. If you have any additional questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me

November 1, 2022, Sydney worked with Shaneequa on the same team

Cortland Jones

Author Educator Entrepreneur Speaker CEO TBP, Inc.

Shaneequa served as one of my high school peer mediators between 2007-2010. During that time she displayed skills and abilities associated with leadership, strategic planning, and community service resulting in a week long celebration of culture within the school community that included a food tasting event culminating in an assembly for the students celebrating culture.

Prior to my retirement from the field of education I was able to see Shaneequa make use of those same skills she displayed as a student now being used to facilitate workshops for her professional colleagues associated with classroom management and strategies for curriculum instruction.

I am not at all surprised to see Shaneequa serving community in roles associated with leadership as she has displayed this natural ability to lead since high school. I am proud of her to see her thriving in her role as a community leader, educator, and youth advocate

October 31, 2022, cortland was Shaneequa’s teacherOctober 31, 2022, cortland was Shaneequa’s teacher

Tishara Joseph

October 15, 2024, Tishara worked with Shaneequa but on different teams

Shaneequa Castle is a highly driven, motivated and passionate lover of learning and development, social justice, Afro-Diasporic culture, music and so much more!

I’ve had the pleasure of learning and growing with Shaneequa over the past 10years while working professionally as educators to serve young learners in Brooklyn, NY.

Shaneequa’s dedication and passion for the world she envisions is inspiring and it’s evident in the way she raises her children, the way she serves young people in her community and most importantly how she shows up for others.

Her creativity and leadership speaks volumes to the impact that she has on her community and colleagues. I’m proud of the legacy you’re creating Shaneequa!

7 Days Ago

Ms. Antoinette Young

English Teacher at Prince George's County Public Schools

In my 19 years of teaching, I have been afforded the opportunity to work with some of the finest and most talented educators. Then, there is Shaneequa Castle. Shaneequa is one of the most passionate, energetic, and knowledgeable educators I have encountered. She always looks for opportunities to enlighten her students and has a proven track record of being an effective educator who puts students first. Additionally, Shaneequa has facilitated professional development for staff and team-building activities for students all with the goal of fostering community. It is without hesitation that I endorse Shaneequa Castle for any position involving education, instructional leadership, and program coordination

7 Days Ago

A renaissance woman with 1 mission: Co-lead transformative, holistic, and technology-enabled learning with lasting impact.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Dr. Maya Angelou