
Hi, I'm Shana.
I pronounce my name like this: Shay-nuh De-Flee-gur. I use she/her/hers pronouns. I was born and raised as an able-bodied, neurodivergent, cisgender Irish-Dutch-German-American girl on Lenni-Lenape land (Philadelphia, PA). I spent my early adulthood on the West Coast and abroad, studying psychology and education, and working as a public elementary school teacher. I returned to the East Coast to pursue applied research in human development and early education in 2017.
My master's research focused on understanding and communicating the science of early childhood adversity to practitioners and policymakers in education. My doctoral research has focused on teacher education activities and ecologies that promote teacher wellness and trauma-responsive, racially equitable practice.
Currently, I engage in qualitative and mixed-methods research at the intersection of teacher mental health and social justice at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. In this role, I enjoy listening, imagining, and agitating with educators to help advance healthy, just, and regenerative learning spaces. A beneficiary of trauma-responsive teachers, and a trauma-responsive practitioner, myself, I am deeply committed to amplifying the voices of teachers and teachers-to-be, and co-constructing pathways to healing and growth.
I enjoy traveling (when public health conditions allow), doing the New York Times Spelling Bee and Crossword, exchanging snail mail, gardening, running, and cooking.

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Fun fact: the "What if?" background image on this site is a framed card that was given to me in 2012. It has hung in every classroom and office I've had since, as a reminder to stay curious. (If anyone knows who the original artist is, please let me know, so that I can credit them!)
University of Pittsburgh
PhD training, Applied Developmental Psychology
Minor, Research Methodology (2019 - 2022)
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Instructor, Department of Health and Human Development
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Graduate Student Researcher
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Psychology in Education Department Representative, Council of Graduate Students in Education (2019-2020)
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First Experience in Research Mentor (2020)
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AERA Division K Campus Liaison (2020-2021)
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PA Psychological Foundation Student Education Award Recipient
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Ad Hoc Reviewer: Journal of Trauma Studies in Education; Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Harvard University
Ed.M, Human Development and Psychology
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President, HGSE Early Childhood Community
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Graduate Resident Advisor
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Harvard Alumni for Mental Health SIG (2019-)
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HGSE Education Grant Recipient
University of Southern California
MAT, Urban Elementary Education
Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential
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Student Teacher
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Graduate Research Assistant
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Licensure: CA, AZ, HI
Pepperdine University
BA, Psychology
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President's Award Scholarship
University of Arizona
Stanford University
Coursework, Spanish & Psychology
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Freshman Class Council
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Arizona Promise Grant
Coursework, Latin & Psychology of Stigma












Higher Education








Teaching
La Casa del Niño Nueva Familia
Buenos Aires, Argentina - K-5
Pomaika'i Elementary School
Kahului, Hawaii - 1st Grade
Wailuku Elementary School
Wailuku, Hawaii - 2nd/5th Grade
Kihei Elementary School
Kihei, Hawaii - 4th Grade
TAL/XES International
Beijing, China - Early Childhood Teacher Educator


University Teaching
Attentional Teaching Practices
University of Pittsburgh School of Education, MAT Program
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teaching evals
Child & Youth Work Practice I & II
University of Pittsburgh School of Education, Undergraduate
Click to view
teaching evals
From Classroom to Community: Inter- and Intra-personal Life Skills
University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Athletics, Undergraduate
Click to view
teaching evals


"We must remain constructively dissatisfied with the status quo."
Dr. Jack Shonkoff