Shandowlyon Hendricks Reaves

Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams earned a high school diploma from Custer High School, an associate degree in human services from Milwaukee Area Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College, a master’s degree in education from Cardinal Stritch University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from National Louis University. Her career experience includes working as the director of the Milwaukee office of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D).

Hendricks-Williams has completed several education fellowships including from Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln: MetLife Teacher Network Leadership Institute (TNLI), the National Education Association (NEA), and New Leaders for New Schools.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I lead with fairness, kindness, empathy, and a strong sense of justice. I believe the best leaders listen first, treat every person with dignity and respect, and bring people together to solve problems. Throughout my career, I have worked collaboratively to build trust, create opportunities, and serve others with integrity and accountability. I am running for the Wisconsin State Assembly because I believe District 11 deserves a choice in who will represent our community and the opportunity to create the positive change our district needs. I offer responsive, principled leadership that puts people first and works to ensure every voice is heard.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Every child deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life. As an educator with more than 30 years of experience, I understand the challenges facing students, parents, and teachers. I support strong neighborhood schools, safe learning environments, accountability, parental involvement, and preparing students with the academic and career skills needed to compete in today's economy. Investing in education is an investment in Wisconsin's future.Every family deserves to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, parks, and businesses. I believe the most effective approach to public safety begins with prevention through strong partnerships among residents, law enforcement, schools, faith communities, businesses, and community organizations. By investing in our youth, strengthening families, building trust, and expanding opportunities, we can create neighborhoods where people feel safe, connected, and empowered to thrive. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and together we can build stronger communities for everyone.Strong communities are built on good jobs, thriving small businesses, and opportunities for families to achieve financial stability. I support policies that encourage entrepreneurship, attract new investment, strengthen workforce development, and prepare people for high-demand careers. We should remove unnecessary barriers to economic growth while ensuring Wisconsin remains a place where businesses can succeed, workers can prosper, and every family opportunities to build a better future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public policies that strengthen people and communities. As an educator, nonprofit founder, and public servant, I believe quality education, safe neighborhoods, and economic opportunity are the foundation of a thriving community. I am especially passionate about expanding educational opportunities, fostering public safety through prevention and community partnerships, supporting small businesses and workforce development, and ensuring government is responsive, accountable, and focused on improving the lives of the people it serves.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Shandowlyon graduated from Milwaukee Public Schools. She earned her Associate Degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College; Bachelor's degree from Springfield College; a Master's Degree from Cardinal Stritch University; and Doctorate Degree from National Louis University.

Shandowlyon holds the following licenses from the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:

- Special Education Teacher

- Director of Curriculum and Instruction

- Principal

- Director of Student Services and Special Education - District Administrator

With almost three decades of experience at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, Shandowlyon served in the following roles:

- Handicapped Child Assistant

- Paraprofessional

- Special Education Teacher

- Special Education Supervisor

- Assistant Principal

- Principal

- District Administator.

Shandowlyon served as Adjunct Faculty at two institutions of higher education. She served as Director at Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction and Department of Administration.

Shandowlyon completed several education fellowships including Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln: MetLife Teacher Network Leadership Institute (TNLI), the National Education Association (NEA), and New Leaders for New Schools, She is a certified coach and community organizer.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Shandowlyon's desire to serve as a School Board Director is grounded in her experience as a parent of a son with disabilities. Shandowlyon felt disempowered during her son's IEP meeting which propelled her into pursuing her own education. With over 25 years of service in the field of education,It is time to move our educational system along the trajectory towards continuous improvement by implementing Shandowlyon's Bill of Rights for Students and focusing on ensuring that every student is guaranteed their inalienable Constitutional right to a sound basic education.We must ensure that parents have the option to enroll their children in a high-performing school. We can no longer ignore our communal and moral responsibility to our future, our children. We have to maximize potential student by student; parent by parent; educator by educator; and, school by school.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Shandowlyon's 20-point education policy, BILL OF RIGHTS FOR STUDENTS, is a plan to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for high post-secondary outcomes. Her priorities are:

1. Student achievement-based teaching & learning

2. Achievement & belief-based district-wide culture

3. High-quality staff, teachers & leadership aligned with the district vision

4. Operations & systems drive learning & district-wide culture

Each student is guaranteed inalienable rights to a premier education; experiences that result in achievement at the student’s maximum potential; liberty to form opinions and make decisions based on truth and fact, not fantasies and fallacies.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Shandowlyon looked up to her late grandmother, Martha Cliff (Mama Martha), who was a sharecropper. Mama Martha believed that with hard work, perseverance, and education, there was nothing that Shandowlyon wouldn't be able to do. When cooking good ole' fashioned meals, Mama Martha ushered Shandowlyon out of the kitchen and told her to go read a book. Mama Martha believed that education would create opportunities for Shandowlyon that were not granted to her

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official must be a public servant that understands "to whom much is given, much is required" and epitomizes "service above self".

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Shandowlyon was raised in a small rural town wherein the majority of people earned a living by working in industrial or agricultural commodity processing and production, factories, or farms. She learned the importance of committing herself to something bigger than herself at a very young age. The 4-H are words she lives by. Shandowlyon leads with her head (clear thinking, eliminating negative thoughts and beliefs that hinder progress); heart (caring for others, loyalty to family, community, country, world); hands (giving to others, putting others before self); and health (maintaining her personal health while thinking, caring and giving).

What legacy would you like to leave?

Shandowlyon's legacy is grounded in the mantra that guided her from public assistance to public service: "one's current circumstances do not dictate one's future". Her calling is to inspire others who struggle in life to imagine the possibilities and move along the trajectory toward continuous improvement. Shandowlyon's legacy is the fulfillment of her personal leadership statement: "I will use my relentless drive to leverage change toward the goal of improving educational opportunities ."

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Shandowlyon's first job was as a Registration Aide at the Milwaukee Public Library. She worked there during her junior and senior years of high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"YOU CAN! Words of Wisdom from The Little Engine That Could" is Shandowlyon's favorite book. As a child, she loved the story, "The Little Engine that Could". Many times, Shandowlyon said to herself "I think I can" just like the little engine. YOU CAN! provides words of wisdom that serve as inspiration and motivation at the most challenging times.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I'm Looking for a Miracle" by United Voices

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Shandowlyon is the mother of two children, Barbara and Brandon. Her firstborn, Barbara, is gifted and talented. Her secondborn, Brandon (deceased), had multiple severe disabilities. Shandowlyon felt disempowered during the IEP team process and empowered herself to become a special education teacher. The granddaughter of sharecroppers, she decided to pursue higher education as a first-generation college student. As a single mother, Shandowlyon moved from depending on the state to serving at the executive level of the state.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The board's job is to make sure the district is run well. The school board is responsible for establishing goals, setting policy and overseeing resources for the school district.

Who are your constituents?

Milwaukee residents, particularly those who reside in district #1

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

MPS Students will:

1. Receive mentoring and/or coaching services beginning in intermediate school and throughout secondary school that address the attainment of "soft skills" and the creation of a resume.

2. Identify career interest and complete a two-semester internship for credit leading to industry-recognized credentials and/or 6 dual enrollment credits at one of Wisconsin’s public or private colleges and/or achievement of transition-related activities per IEP goals during secondary school.

3. Receive leadership development training during secondary school, culminating with the development of a personal leadership statement informing how knowledge, skills, and dispositions attained will result in meaningful contributions to the community.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dr. Hendricks has over 25 years of experience in public, private, charter and higher education. She has served as a Teacher Assistant, Special Education Teacher, Supervisor, Assistant Principal, Principal, District Administrator, and Adjunct Faculty prior to serving as the Assistant Director of the Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing (TEPDL) team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Dr. Hendricks served as Director of the Milwaukee Office of the Governor. Having been in the "eye of the storm", she has mastered the ability to adapt to change while leading others.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Dr. Hendricks' promise to all Wisconsinites: We will maximize potential, create new trajectories and unveil opportunities for success for parents, students and teachers.Each Wisconsin student is guaranteed inalienable rights to a premier fully-funded education, learning experiences that result in achievement, liberty to form opinions and make decisions based on truth and fact, and high post secondary outcomes, inclusive of a transition plan and/or career and/or college readiness.Dr. Hendricks leads with her head, heart, hands and health.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Early Childhood Education

Special Education

Eliminating Achievement Gaps

Essentials for All: Art, Music, Physical Education, Health, Computer Science, Foreign Language, Civics, Financial Literacy and Economics

Elevating Home-Based Parental Involvement

Creating Meaningful Opportunity for School-Based Parental Involvement

Elevating the Profession of Teaching

Increasing Teacher Pay

Recruit, Develop and Retain a Diverse Teacher Workforce

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

In many states, the State Superintendent is appointed by the Governor. In Wisconsin, the State Superintendent is elected and thus collaborates with the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government to ensure that Wisconsin State Statutes and Administrative Code as "law of the land" provide a road map for ensuring that each child's right to a free and public education are not infringed upon.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Dr. Hendricks looked up to her late grandmother, Martha Cliff (Mama Martha), who was a share cropper. Mama Martha believed that with hard work, perseverance and education, there was nothing that Dr. Hendricks wouldn't be able to do. When cooking good ole' fashioned meals, Mama Martha ushered Dr. Hendricks out of the kitchen and told her to go read a book. Mama Martha believed that education would create opportunities for Dr. Hendricks that were not granted to her.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official must be a public servant that understands "to whom much is given, much is required" and epitomizes "service above self".

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Dr. Hendricks was raised in a small rural town wherein the majority of people earned a living by working in industrial or agricultural commodity processing and production, factories or farms. She learned the importance of committing herself to something bigger than herself at a very young age. The 4-H are words she lives by. Dr. Hendricks leads with her head (clear thinking, eliminating negative thoughts and beliefs that hinder progress); heart (caring for others, loyalty to family, community, country, world); hands (giving to others, putting others before self); and health (maintaining her personal health while thinking, caring and giving).

What legacy would you like to leave?

Dr Hendricks' legacy is grounded in the matra that guided her from public assistance to public service: "one's current circumstances does not dictate one's future". Her calling is to inspire others who struggle in life to imagine the possibilities and move along the trajectory toward continuous improvement. Dr. Hendricks' legacy is the fulfillment of her personal leadership statement: "I will use my relentless drive to leverage change by any means necessary towards creating equitable opportunities."

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Dr. Hendricks' first job was a Registration Aide at the Milwaukee Public Library. She worked there her junior and senior years of high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"YOU CAN! Words of Wisdom from The Little Engine That Could" is Dr. Hendricks' favorite book. As a child, she loved the story, "The Little Engine that Could". Many times, Dr. Hendricks has had to say to herself "I think I can" just like the little engine. YOU CAN! provides words of wisdom that serves as inspiration and motivation at the most challenging times.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I'm Looking for a Miracle" by United Voices

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Dr. Hendricks is the mother of two children, Barbara and Brandon. Her first born, Barbara, is gifted and talented. Her second born, Brandon, has multiple severe disabilities. Dr. Hendricks felt disempowered during the IEP team process and empowered herself to become a special education teacher. The granddaughter of sharecroppers, she decided to pursue higher education as a first-generation college student. As a single mother, Dr. Hendricks moved from depending on the state to serving at the executive level of the state.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Dr. Hendricks believes that the Wisconsin State Superintendent should have experience working in state government at one of the agencies or at the executive level, the Office of the Governor.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Valid DPI licenses: Teacher, Director of Instruction, Principal and District Administrator

Terminal Degree in Education

15 years of experience in education (K12 and higher education)

Knowledge of leadership theories and ability to demonstrate adaptive leadership