Biography
This is me, Shynelle Tillman! I have been working with children now for over 7 years and it has become my passion!
When I was a little girl, I grew up dancing in the community performing in all types of shows and parades. I was excited to have received many trophies as a young person and even performed for the halftime show during an NBA basketball game!
Then I started dancing in church as I got older. In middle school, I joined a dance and drill team, then became captain of the team and my twin sister became co-captain. I loved every moment of competitions – I even enjoyed practicing! I then went to high school, studied dance, and choreographed routines for the cheer team. Movement has been an important form of expression in my life and I love passing it on to kids to improve their health and awareness.
When I graduated I decided to work with children. I taught kids from different age groups and different cultures hip hop, ballet, and hip hop Zumba. I started teaching at a dance studio which led to teaching performing arts at an elementary and middle school.
While working at the schools I was drawn toward children diagnosed with learning disabilities. Ultimately, this became my chosen field of study as I learned more and more about how to understand and support them.
I started working for a company that helped children on the spectrum and received training in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) and later went on to earn my Master’s degree in Psychology.
These children needed support academically but more importantly socially and emotionally. This became my mission – making them feel included in the classroom and included on the playground.
My whole life changed when working with children from different backgrounds because I wanted to be that person to make children feel like they have a safe space and someone to advocate for them – someone who understands that working with children takes patience, connection, motivation, passion, and understanding.
I always keep an open mind and am very easygoing. I’m deeply supportive and I love to put a smile on a child’s face.