Available to hire
Hi, I’m Leonora Shell. I have a passion for education, citizen science, and creating engaging learning experiences. Over the years, I’ve worked as a lead teacher, education program director, and homeschooling co-teacher, tailoring learning to meet individual needs and incorporating Montessori and place-based methods. I also enjoy writing and sharing stories, particularly about science and community engagement.
I’m deeply invested in connecting people with science through innovative projects, lesson plans, and collaborative efforts. Outside of teaching, I run Essential Montessori LLC, where I design and produce educational products with a focus on natural materials and sustainability. My work aims to inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning in diverse communities.
Experience Level
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Work Experience
Lead Teacher at Kalexedy Learning Center
January 1, 2024 - PresentFacilitates multi-age classroom (4th-8th grade) of neurodivergent students, each following a different personalized learning plan. Serves as academic mentor for each student, communicating with parents on academic progress. Plans two classes per day of unique instruction related to STEAM challenges, executive functioning, life skills, and social-emotional development. Plans and implements seven different weeks of STEAM Summer Programming.
Writer and Contributor at Central Mass Mom
January 1, 2024 - PresentConducts monthly author interviews of Massachusetts-affiliated children’s authors and contributes articles.
Homeschooling co-teacher at Self-employed
January 1, 2021 - PresentDual grade homeschool teaching of daughters using place-based learning, Montessori approaches, encourages self-directed studies, and participation in scientific research. Responsible for curriculum design and development for Math, Science, Art, Health, Writing and Music.
Owner, Chief Operating Officer at Essential Montessori LLC
January 1, 2013 - PresentResponsible for new product development, marketing, customer service, and social media. Primary maker of 30 different product lines using birch hardwoods, organic food-based dyes, and organic finishes. Handles shipping, logistics, product launch, and production line coordination. Built an organic following of over 10k followers on social media and managed vendor relationships in three in-person, woman-owned brick and mortar shops.
Education Program Director; Editorial Staff at SciStarter.com
December 31, 2019 - July 16, 2025Approved new citizen science projects for a database of more than 1700 projects. Created newsletters and email campaigns to 20,000 people. Wrote blog posts for SciStarter.com, DiscoverMagazine.com, and PLOS.org.
Digital Learning Specialist at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
December 31, 2019 - July 16, 2025Integrated Students Discover projects into SciStarter.com for scale and longevity, developed the Educator’s page for SciStarter.com, and improved back-end functionality for form data entry to the SciStarter portal.
Curator of Digital Media at North Carolina State University, Rob Dunn Lab
December 31, 2017 - July 16, 2025Coordinated with middle school teachers for Students Discover Project. Developed curriculum for summer bridge academy, hired and managed teachers, aligned lesson plans to standards, represented the project at conferences, managed communications and social media to an audience of 21,000, produced multimedia for educational and promotional use, and wrote IRB applications for human subjects research.
Faculty at Mississippi Governor’s School
December 31, 2014 - July 16, 2025Designed and taught courses centered around Entomology and Art during a three-week summer residential program for gifted high school students.
Adjunct Instructor at Mississippi University for Women
December 31, 2012 - July 16, 2025Developed and taught two courses designed to help students be successful in college, assisting students on academic probation or facing suspension.
Librarian Aide at Columbus Air Force Base Library
December 31, 2011 - July 16, 2025Developed programming for family reading hours and worked at the circulation desk.
Math Teacher at West Point High School
December 31, 2010 - July 16, 2025Taught Algebra 2 and Geometry, provided after-school tutoring, and served on a committee to increase standardized exam scores.
Junior Specialist at UC Davis Department of Entomology, Rosenheim Lab
December 31, 2009 - July 16, 2025Researched hymenopteran parasitoids for biological control agents, surveyed cotton fields, performed laboratory techniques including dissections, DNA extractions, PCR, ELISA, insect identification, experimental design, bioinformatics, and database construction.
Biological Technician at United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
December 31, 2006 - July 16, 2025Researched invasive bark beetles, collaborated with post-docs on pheromone synthesis survey methods, prepared entomological specimens for museum collections, collected insects for lab experiments, presented research, and instructed colleagues on plant and insect life histories.
Elementary School Intern (Science Classroom, 4th and 6th grade) at UC Davis Dept. of Education, North Davis Elementary School
December 31, 2006 - July 16, 2025Co-created an insect curriculum, observed and assisted elementary science classes.
Agricultural Researcher (R&D) at ConAgra Foods
December 31, 2005 - July 16, 2025Maintained greenhouse and fields, organized seed treatment and planting, harvested tomatoes, performed lab processing of tomato paste including viscosity tests, developed new products, and conducted lab equipment repairs and fabrication using various tools.
Lead Teacher at Kalexedy Learning Center
January 1, 2024 - PresentFacilitates a multi-age classroom (4th-8th grade) of neurodivergent students, each following personalized learning plans. Acts as academic mentor for each student and communicates progress to parents. Plans and delivers unique instruction related to STEAM challenges, executive functioning, life skills, and social-emotional development. Organizes and implements seven weeks of STEAM Summer Programming.
Writer and Contributor at Central Mass Mom
January 1, 2024 - PresentConducts monthly author interviews of Massachusetts-affiliated children’s authors and contributes written content to the platform.
Homeschooling co-teacher
January 1, 2021 - PresentDual grade homeschool teaching of daughters using place-based learning, Montessori approaches, and encouraging self-directed studies and participation in scientific research. Designs and develops curriculum for Math, Science, Art, Health, Writing, and Music.
Owner, Chief Operating Officer at Essential Montessori LLC
January 1, 2013 - PresentResponsible for new product development, marketing, customer service, and social media management. Primary maker of 30 different product lines using birch hardwoods and organic food-based dyes. Manages shipping, logistics, product launches, and production coordination. Built an organic social media following and vendor relationships with brick and mortar shops.
Education Program Director; Editorial Staff at SciStarter.com
December 31, 2019 - July 16, 2025Approved new citizen science projects, created newsletters and email campaigns for 20,000 subscribers, and wrote blog posts for multiple science platforms.
Digital Learning Specialist at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
December 31, 2019 - July 16, 2025Integrated Students Discover projects into SciStarter.com for scalability. Developed educator resources and backend functionality for project data entry.
Curator of Digital Media at North Carolina State University, Rob Dunn Lab
December 31, 2017 - July 16, 2025Coordinated with middle school teachers for science projects, developed summer academy curricula for rising ninth graders, managed communications and content creation, aligned lessons to standards, and applied for IRB approvals for human subject research.
Faculty at Mississippi Governor’s School
December 31, 2014 - July 16, 2025Designed and taught entomology and art courses during a summer residential gifted program for high school students.
Adjunct Instructor at Mississippi University for Women
December 31, 2012 - July 16, 2025Developed and taught courses aimed at helping students succeed academically, particularly those on probation or facing suspension.
Librarian Aide at Columbus Air Force Base Library
December 31, 2011 - July 16, 2025Developed family reading hour programs and managed circulation desk operations.
Math Teacher at West Point High School
December 31, 2010 - July 16, 2025Taught Algebra 2 and Geometry, provided after-school tutoring, and participated in committees to improve standardized test scores.
Junior Specialist at UC Davis Department of Entomology, Rosenheim Lab
December 31, 2009 - July 16, 2025Conducted independent research on hymenopteran parasitoids, performed molecular and bioinformatics techniques, and contributed to experimental design and database construction.
Biological Technician at United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
December 31, 2006 - July 16, 2025Researched invasive bark beetles, prepared entomological specimens, collected insects, and instructed colleagues on insect and plant life histories.
Elementary School Intern (Science Classroom) at UC Davis Dept. of Education, North Davis Elementary School
December 31, 2006 - July 16, 2025Collaborated on creating insect-centered science curriculum and assisted in elementary science classes.
Agricultural Researcher (R&D) at ConAgra Foods
December 31, 2005 - July 16, 2025Conducted greenhouse and fieldwork for tomato cultivation, lab processing of tomato paste, product quality tests, and equipment construction and repair.
Education
Master of Arts in Teaching at Mississippi University for Women
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010Bachelor of Science at University of California, Davis
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007Master of Arts in Teaching at Mississippi University for Women
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010Bachelor of Science at University of California, Davis
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007Qualifications
Board Member, The Microbe Institute
January 1, 2025 - July 16, 20254-H Volunteer Advisor, State-wide Discovery Club Co-Director
January 1, 2025 - July 16, 2025Treasurer, Society of Philosophers of America (SOPHIA), Worcester Chapter
January 1, 2018 - July 16, 2025Parent-Teacher Group Vice President, Flagg Street School
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2021Humans vs. Zombies coordinator, North Carolina Governor’s School East
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2017Humans vs. Zombies coordinator, Mississippi Governor’s School
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013Lead Education Consultant, Community of Microbes traveling Art + Science + AR technology exhibit
October 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019Citizen Science Association (CSA) Member
January 1, 2015 - July 16, 2025Board Member, The Microbe Institute
January 1, 2025 - July 16, 20254-H Volunteer Advisor, State-wide Discovery Club Co-Director
January 1, 2025 - July 16, 2025Treasurer, Society of Philosophers of America (SOPHIA), Worcester Chapter
January 1, 2018 - July 16, 2025Parent-Teacher Group Vice President, Flagg Street School
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2021Industry Experience
Education, Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Retail
Experience Level
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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