Campbell Lecture 2022
Developing Communities of Practice in Early Childhood to Promote Justice & Equity
October 7, 2022
Shannon Beth Wanless, PhD, began her career as a YMCA Summer Camp director and a Head Start teacher. She worked in urban and rural settings, and with children whose families showed incredible resilience in the face of the never-ending challenges of being refugees or being undocumented in the United States.
She earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Michigan, a doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University, a post-doctorate with the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching & Learning (CASTL) at the University of Virginia, and is a Fulbright Scholar.
She is director of the Office of Child Development, a large university-community partnership center in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education, which is focused on ensuring that all children thrive. The office brings in up to $8 million each year in grants and contracts from national and local partners.
Shannon's current work focuses on social justice and equity (SJ&E). She explores ways that children, preservice teachers and organizational leaders develop SJ&E skills and how to create classroom, school and organizational climates that reflect SJ&E tenets.
The Cynthia and Duncan Campbell Lecture on Childhood Relationships, Risk and Resilience is presented annually and made possible by Cindy and Duncan Campbell.
