We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanae Cooper- Robinson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanae below.

Shanae, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

I would change the curriculum to facilitate the inclusion of Social Emotional Learning Skills from the elementary level through to the tertiary level. I realize that there is a set behavioral pattern in the Jamaican education system amongst most of our children, they don’t know how to solve simple conflicts /problems or express themselves without using aggression, physical strength or violence. This problem needs to be promptly addressed because it is reaping havoc on our society. I strongly believe that every lesson taught should be tailored to cater for the emotional and social needs of the learner. The same way in which the academic aspect is taught , they should be given learning opportunities to build their social and emotional intelligence as well. For the past two to three years, there has been a surge in violence among our youths in society. For the 2023 period alone more than 10 cases of disorderly conduct, fights and harassment have been reported across our schools. The last few incidences that I can recall are the ones that involve students been severely physically abused by their schoolmates for minor issues. We can prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career by teaching them about the 21st century skills ( communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity), life long-skills (conflict/resolution skills, adaptability skills, just to name a few). The world has reached at an advanced stage of development where we have seen numerous innovations and advancement in technology. It is changing and will continue on that trend dramatically. As such our students /children will be solving future problems that we can only dream of doing. They’ll face challenges that require skills to define a problem, design an appropriate solution, and put it to effective use. In order to cope , we have to help them embrace this change and activate the skills required to stay abreast of and ahead of time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started teaching because I saw a dent in the education system that I wanted to mend so I worked tirelessly to make a name for myself as well as solve numerous problems that existed to include but not limited to: low numeracy rate at the primary level, lack of Social, Emotional Learning Skills, behavioral issues, etc. With a drive and passion to change the world with my skills, knowledge, gift and talents, I was motivated to write my life-changing book which acted as a catalyst for this. With the right mindset and skillset, I rose above many adversities as an educator and author to become my best possible self. From an under-estimated / under-appreciated educator and invisible author to a sought after expert, I worked my way to the top to become a generativity strategist, an award-winning /best-selling author, poet , speaker/ a book reviewer and teacher mentor who wears many other hats that fit. I am a five-time author whose first book written, From the Root to the Fruit: Rising Above Adversities, was used for Jamaica Day 2023. I empower educators, women, youth , Christians to rise above their adversities, leave generational footprints and to be their best possible selves. I do empowerment workshops, model teaching sessions, workshop presentations, public speaking, book reviews for authors and offer other writing services. I am most proud about being a mom, there is no other feelings that can replace this one. I want my potential clients to know that my brand is built around rising above adversities, I used the limes that life gave me to make limeade and I teach my ideal audience how to do the same. My work ethics and versatility make room for me in this crowded space.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I started out on my author journey in 2022, I was both overwhelmed and confused. I reached out to some individuals who would make up my community of influence for help in one way or the other but got a lot of rejections, cold shoulders, I heard lots of no’s, got many disappointments, numerous doors were closed in my face. I faced a lot of discouragement but I did not allow those factors to stop me, I pushed through, kept going until I found my silver lining, because I never gave up, today I represent the symbol of hope for most girls with dreams. As a result of my resilience I have accomplished the following and more, I am a:
• Best-selling Author
• Book Reviewer for the Nonfiction Authors Association (NFAA)
• Reviewed more than 12 books for (NFAA)
• Featured on the NFAA Book Club, Authors Show
• Wrote , contributed, featured in more than 20 magazines, blogs and articles combined
• International Award-winning Author
• Book’s Title used for Jamaica Day 2023
• Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Award-winning Poet and Public Speaker
• Former Thought Leader at NFAA

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson that I had to unlearn is looking for massive support from those whom I was acquainted with on my journey. When I started out as an author , three of the most influential people ( who knew me at different stages of my intellectual, social and work-related life) in society took copies of my book and didn’t pay for them. Another individual who was a fairly good acquaintance knew when life had me at my lowest point. This individual invited me as a guest speaker at an event and did not keep his/her monetary bargain (refused to pay me). Instead of getting bitter, I evolved and become better. I leant from every single experience that taught me valuable lessons. Every successful person once travelled lonely and painful path. The journey thought me a lot about self-reliance, putting my faith in God, bouncing back from adversities and working hard to be on top.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shanaecooperrobinson.com
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083253756687
• Linkedin: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fshanae-cooper-robinson-382417239%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3380UBYWOxuKjTXY6cHZkKlKsPza8_v7f7xCui2XhtzoP-NhsrKtG3DaU&h=AT0yNS_PK3UAPphpHLHg8RjZi6DhbCif5f9SXd3_2pCvlHma1Js2nBrBpDpBFfDgiFp8mR17SuHCR1xOkpy300FdQ-PIX5-PH5HdPuCOxHd1QRA8IPAKH5626_H5b52_httQeA
• Twitter: https://web.facebook.com/shanae.cooper.10
• Youtube: https://bit.ly/YoutubeChannelShanaeCooper-Robinson

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