Shani Dunn is a second-grade teacher at Eastlawn Elementary in Pascagoula.
While she has only been a certified teacher for the past three years, she has been in the educational field for almost 20 years.
She served as an assistant teacher at Arlington Elementary from 2007-2025 working with fourth and fifth grade students. In 2015, she transferred to Eastlawn Elementary where she continued as an assistant teacher for the third grade.
In 2018, she transitioned from the classroom to serve as the Attendance and Records Clerk at Eastlawn, a role she truly enjoyed. She also serves as the Eastlawn Elementary Student Council sponsor. During this time, she was inspired by colleagues and fellow assistant teachers who were pursuing their degrees.
“Being part of a supportive school community that values continued education was both encouraging and motivating,” Dunn said.
After doing her student teaching in the second grade she decided that was the grade she wanted to continue teaching.
“I fell in love with it because students are becoming more independent and capable, yet they still have a sense of wonder and a true excitement for learning.”
Like most elementary educators who provide instruction across the full curriculum, Dunn teaches all the core primary subject areas – Reading, Phonics, Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts.
“I have always been passionate about becoming a teacher and was inspired by the exceptional educators I had during my own schooling. As a student in the Pascagoula-Gautier School District, I was fortunate to learn from remarkable teachers who made a lasting impact on me. From a young age—even playing ‘school’ as a child—I knew I wanted to pursue a career in education.”
With that motivation and inspiration, and with the unwavering support and encouragement from her husband, she made the decision to return to school to complete her degree in elementary education.
“He knew it had always been my dream to have my own classroom and fully supported me in achieving that goal.”
She received her associate’s degree from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and a bachelor’s degree from William Carey University.
Dunn’s favorite part about teaching is witnessing the ‘aha’ moments of students – those times when understanding clicks and their excitement becomes visible.
“I also value building strong relationships with my students and ensuring they know I am on their team and am fully invested in their success.”
But as any teacher knows, there are always challenges to deal with, such as addressing the diverse learning needs of students as they are at varying stages of both academic and social development. It can also be challenging to foster student independence while still providing the appropriate structure and support needed for success.
Dunn recognizes that one of the most difficult aspects of teaching is saying goodbye to students at the end of the school year.
“After spending months together learning, growing and building meaningful relationships, it’s never easy to let them go. However, it’s also incredibly rewarding to see them continue to grow, to pass them in the hallways in the years that follow, and to celebrate their ongoing successes.”
Her best “teacher moments” are when former students return to share their successes with her.
“Whether it’s celebrating accomplishments such as meeting their Accelerated Reader goals or asking to come read with my current students, these visits are especially meaningful. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their continued growth and confidence and to know that I played a small part in their early learning journey,” Dunn said.
Dunn wholeheartedly believes in the saying, ‘Teach with heart, lead with patience, and build with love,’ because strong relationships are at the center of effective teaching.
“When students feel valued, supported and believed in, they are more motivated to learn, grow and put forth their best effort.”
She recognizes that each child is unique with different learning styles, needs and ways of responding to feedback and discipline. Because of this, it’s essential to understand and meet students where they are, using approaches that best support their individual growth.
In her classroom, Dunn also believes in focusing on the positive and consistently reinforcing desired behaviors through praise and encouragement.
“I strive to avoid engaging in negative behaviors and instead redirect students in a constructive and supportive way. By highlighting student strengths and celebrating their efforts often, I aim to build confidence, motivation and a positive classroom environment. I am committed to creating a learning space where every student feels seen, respected and capable of success.”
Over the years, Dunn has had mentors who have supported and guided her.
“As an assistant teacher, I had the opportunity to work alongside many highly skilled and dedicated educators who not only modeled effective teaching practices but also encouraged me to pursue my degree in education. Observing their instructional strategies, lesson planning, and classroom management techniques provided me with valuable insights and practical ideas that I continue to incorporate into my own classroom.”
She also views her coworkers, particularly her second-grade team, as mentors. Seeing how they effectively run their classrooms continues to inspire her and positively influences her own teaching practices.
Dunn comes from a family of educators. Two close aunts whose love and passion for education have been a significant source of inspiration. Watching their dedication to students and their commitment to the teaching profession further strengthened her desire to pursue a career in education.
She realized that by working in several positions within the school it gave her a well-rounded perspective and a deeper appreciation for how every role contributes to student success.
“It has shown me that each position – whether in the classroom, support staff, or administration – is essential and interconnected. This experience has helped me understand that a school functions best when everyone works together and that every role plays a vital part in creating a supportive and successful learning environment.”
Dunn has won several awards during her career: Eastlawn Elementary Teacher of the Year 2025-2026; Eastlawn Elementary Staff Member of the Year 2023-2024; Arlington Elementary Staff Member of the Year 2013-2024; A+ Reading Teacher; A+ Math Teacher; and the Debra Herring Excellence in Education Award from William Carey University.
When she’s not working, Dunn enjoys spending quality time with her family, often taking trips to the beach, as well as gathering with friends for cookouts. She also enjoys shopping and finding new places and experiences to share with loved ones.
Dunn is married to Michael and they have a daughter, Emily. Her daughter is also eager to pursue a career in education. She participated in the Education Preparation Program, also known as Teacher Academy. As a high school senior, Emily is currently in the Teacher Internship Program and works part-time as an assistant teacher at Eastlawn Elementary.
