Shenayah Herschkowitz is an educator, writer, and curriculum designer with a lifelong love of language and a deep respect for unconventional learners. Her own education began outside the traditional classroom—homeschooled in her early years, she developed strong habits of independent thinking, self-direction, and following her natural curiosity. This experience shaped her belief that meaningful learning begins with the freedom to explore and the tools to pursue questions deeply. With academic backgrounds in English, literature, and Deaf Studies, she brings deep expertise and a passion for language as a tool for expression, advocacy, and connection. 

She began her career in immersive American Sign Language classrooms at Perkins School for the Blind, later joining the school’s public relations team and traveling nationally and internationally to present on assistive technology and inclusive education. She went on to serve as a speechwriter and media editor at the YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities, where she also led corporate engagement with Fortune 500 companies including KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Her editorial work is marked by clarity, nuance, and grammatical precision—skills she brings to both instructional design and individualized literacy support. After the birth of her daughter in 2010, Shenayah stepped away from her professional career and returned to the classroom in 2023 with a renewed focus on foundational literacy, language arts, and student-centered learning.

As a classroom teacher and curriculum designer, Shenayah has created over 40 original curricula in language arts, history, and geography, all aligned to rigorous academic standards and adapted for diverse and neurodivergent learners. Her areas of expertise include foundational literacy, grammar instruction, creative writing, and literary analysis. She uses literature not only as a subject of study but as a platform to integrate reading, writing, critical thinking, and self-expression. Through close reading and thematic exploration, students strengthen their technical skills while engaging deeply with global perspectives, ethical questions, and emotional nuance. Her instruction blends structured skill-building with joyful, creative expression—using inquiry-based learning, kinesthetic activities, and differentiated supports to foster lasting mastery.

Shenayah’s educational philosophy is rooted in meeting students exactly where they are and using her wealth of experience to guide them where they need to go. She believes the ability to concisely articulate thoughts—to capture the essence of an idea or emotion—serves not only as an academic strength but also as a powerful tool for self-regulation, clarity, and confidence. For Shenayah, language goes beyond communication; it forms the foundation of identity, empathy, and empowerment. She is currently preparing to pursue her Master’s in Education and remains committed to building learning environments that are rigorous, compassionate, and alive with possibility for every learner on every path.