Shilah Carroll

Story By: D. OLIVIA ROJAS, MS, MSW

Shilah Carroll is a Gainesville native teaching in the local schools. As a local resident, she was brought up in the Gainesville school system. She earned her Bachelors in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida and her Masters in Reading Education from Saint Leo University. Over her nine-years as an educator, Shilah has taught elementary, middle, and high school students.

Seven and half years of her education career was spent teaching parttime at Reichert House Youth Academy, a local non-profit for at-risk male youth. Shilah always knew she wanted to help other people, but pictured her life’s work taking a different direction than education.

Shilah’s calling became clear when a professor in her undergraduate program created a learning environment that showed her the impact of working with children in engaging ways. The class gave her the opportunity to reflect on her own experiences as a younger student, seeing the common themes of education in a clearer way. From memories of pulling out books, blocks, and chalkboards to play “school” with her younger brother, to the realization that her Grandmother was also a teacher revealed the path for her.

Following in her grandmother’s footsteps seemed a natural fit. She pursues her personal education with the same passion she has for the young minds she cultivates, graduating from both her undergraduate and graduate programs with honors. Her passion for teaching has been shown through her two nominations for Teacher of the Year award at her school.

She continues to challenge herself by seeking out new opportunities.

Shilah strives to step out on faith and be the leader her mother and grandmother continually encourage her to be. Her first experiences pursuing leadership roles were intimidating, but ultimately gave her the opportunities needed to become a better version of herself.

Shilah approaches all of these experiences with a clear focus on serving her community, educating young minds, and embracing the learning and growth that comes from pushing herself to dream bigger.