Shanita is committed to creating more equitable educational futures for the next generation of students.

Shanita Keyes is a passionate STEM educator and educational justice advocate. A proud graduate of Detroit Public Schools, Shanita now teaches high school science in the very district that shaped her love of science. Her teaching is grounded in her lived experiences with underfunded schools and resource disparities. Shanita is committed to creating more equitable educational futures for the next generation of students.

Currently, Shanita leads the effort to strengthen STEM education at her school. She has organized student-led presentations, secured grant funding for new equipment, and continues to champion access for girls and other underrepresented students. This year alone, Shanita secured $4,500 in grants for the science department to acquire two 3D printers, digital microscopes, and robotics kits. She plans to develop a fully functional science and engineering lab at the school.

Shanita previously earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. There, she studied technology and vocational education, applied mathematics, and secondary school curriculum. Currently, she’s pursuing her master’s degree in educational leadership and policy at the University of Michigan’s Marsal School of Education. Meanwhile, she is also a devoted mother of two young children, balancing parenting with full-time teaching and graduate study.

Shanita brings both classroom expertise and systemic insight to her graduate studies. Her goal is to transition into school and district-level leadership where she can help reimagine educational systems from the ground up. She envisions schools where every student feels seen and supported — where nutritious meals, engaging curricula, and updated facilities are a baseline rather than a luxury. Through policy work and leadership rooted in justice, Shanita aims to transform educational systems into spaces that honor the potential of every student.

CEW+ applauds Shanita’s commitment to educational justice and names her a Joan P. Ireland Scholar.