Spotlight on: Shannon Gayhart
Special Education Teacher
Q. What date did you start in the new role?
A. Aug. 29, 2024.
Q. What is your background experience that led to this position?
A. I have worked with children of all ages for the past 13 years. I worked as a daycare provider for seven years. For the past six years, I have worked as a special education teacher in grades 7-12 with students of all ability levels.
Q. What makes you excited about working in your new role at Herkimer CSD?
A. Having lived in Herkimer for the past 24 years, I have watched most of the children grow up in one way or another: from being on the Little League board, coaching tee ball, coaching Pop Warner cheer, being a team mom for Pop Warner football, chaperoning countless field trips, or through my own children’s other sports and extracurricular activities. I have come to know most of the parents and staff at Herkimer CSD as well. I am so excited to be working alongside such a welcoming team and to have a positive impact on the children in my own community.
Q. When did you first know you wanted become a teacher and what made you feel that way?
A. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. When I would play school with my friends and my siblings, I was always the teacher. I loved to be the one to teach them something new. My passion to work in special education comes from my twin sister.
Q. What do you think makes Herkimer CSD special?
A. What makes Herkimer CSD so special is the wonderful teaching staff, a supportive administration and students who are kind and enthusiastic.