Edupreneur Spotlight: Destiny Shantell Woodbury
Check out our interview with Destiny Shantell Woodbury, the Founder & CEO of The Anchor School in Houston, TX.
How and why did you become an educator? Narrate your path for us.
“My love for education all started when I was in elementary school. I had a really good teacher who I thought was so caring, and I was learning so much. School for me was more than just a place to learn. I felt safe, was able to eat meals everyday, and was able to learn so many new things. I was learning so much and started to fall in love with Science. I went to Mount Pleasant High School high in Rhode Island, where we had a magnet program called The Teacher Academy. There I learned how to lesson plan and make assessments. In my junior year I was able to intern at my elementary school with the 5th grade Special Education Program. In my senior year I got to teach the 10th grade Chemistry class. I loved chemistry so much that it was my major in college, along with Secondary Education. I knew I wanted to teach to be able to instill confidence in children. I ended up teaching middle school Science for 8 years.”
Destiny is no stranger to adversity, so don’t assume she’s had it easy, because we see her shining now. “Me and my family experienced trauma, I lost my mom to drugs, and my step father was murdered. I could’ve given up, but I knew I had to do something different because of my God given talents. So I had a lot of mentors, and people around me to lift me in those hard times. I also ran track which taught me to be disciplined and set goals. I was very vulnerable with my kids, and I told them my story. I told them that I wouldn’t let my childhood and experiences create my destiny.”
What inspired you to start The Anchor School?
“My childhood inspired The Anchor School. My siblings and I experienced pretty tough circumstances, from my brother losing both of his parents, to seeing him not dealing with all that pain properly. His teachers also couldn’t handle his traumas, and he soon fell into the School to Prison Pipeline. From then, I wondered how I could create a school where the priority is supporting the students and having their basic needs met? A place where they are able to express their emotions, and not be shunned. The same goes for the adults in the school. A place where they can unpack their traumas as well, to not only better themselves as people, but as educators for their students. Along with my childhood, a story that I remember back when I was teaching that also inspired me to open The Anchor School is when one of the heads of the school was looking at the suspension data. A child had one more suspension before they became expelled, and she asked me how do we suspend this child so that they can be removed from the school. That's when I knew I had to make a change. I had to create my own safe space for children, so that things like this won’t happen under my watch. My new school won’t even have suspensions for children.”
What do you envision for The Anchor School in five years?
“The School will open in August of 2022. So, in five years from that the 5th graders will be starting high school. One thing in the school that I'm excited about is social justice. I want my students to have the skills to organize. To know that their voice is their power, and that they can make changes. They’ll be doing 1on1’s, and working with organizations to explore their town and city and understand where they are from. When I daydream, I can see this amazing school that encompasses only wonderful things. I see kids making their mark in the world and having the tools to do so at The Anchor School.”
If you could wave a magic wand and fix one thing about education immediately what would you fix.
“I would fix the lack of counselors in school across our country and the stigma of mental health in the Black community. When thinking of The Anchor School, I want to ensure that we have counselors and therapists to address mental health issues at our school and ensure that students are aware of the different types of trauma, mental health issues, and unpacking their own trauma as well as the adults.”
What advice would you give to educators who have a passion & talent that could become profitable and want to act on it, but are fearful?
“Imposter syndrome is a real thing. It can paralyze you in the things that you want to do. Know that you have the skills to do what you aim to do, and having a tribe of people is important to help push you and affirm your abilities. People who will love you, and tell you when you're wrong or right. You must have empathy and work with the community. Talk to the community, and get their feedback. Apply to fellowships. They will give you the tools and structures to help you build what you desire. Remember your why and your purpose. Even when you’re tired, remember what you work so hard for.”
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