Meet Shandra Ryan | Executive Director – Conscious Ed Sedona

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shandra Ryan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shandra, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Conscious Education came from my 15+ years of working in classrooms and studying child development. Over and over again, I witnessed how some children in every group struggle with fitting into classroom expectations. These children are usually the ones who come alive during music, art and movement activities. I began to create a curriculum that gives students a chance to explore non-academic subjects and build self esteem through practicing life skills, social interactions and healthy habits. In addition, as a single parent, I experienced the challenges facing working families in a rural community. Even though Sedona is filled with tourism, our local population is small. Services for children and families are limited. I saw the need to start a non-profit organization to support working families in and around our city. This took the form of high quality specialized child care at very affordable rates and before/after school transportation and enrichment activities.

What should our readers know about your business?
Conscious Education was created from my unique perspective as an educator and administrator. I formulated theories through hands on experiences working in highly accredited child development centers and schools. I started 20 years ago as an assistant caregiver for infants and toddlers. Slowly. I worked my way up to become a certified Elementary and Special Education teacher and now non-profit Director. I received hundreds of hours of on the job training in child development and academic pedagogy. When I completed my degree in special education, I had already been teaching for 10 years and raising my children at the same time. I was able to directly apply new techniques and concepts to explore the most effective practices for working with children in a positive way. I became passionate about finding self esteem building activities for student who struggle in the average classroom environment. Children are not one size fits all. If a child is not performing well, it’s our job to adjust the environment to create opportunities for success. As a single mom and teacher, I experienced how great a need there is for community support for children and families.
It seemed a perfect combination to offer meaningful enrichment activities in art and wellness while providing after school and vacation child care services for working families. Conscious Education is a healthy program for children of all levels, but is especially helpful with students who think differently and might not mesh well in the main stream classroom, including students considered to have learning disabilities. Our goal is to create a curriculum of positive uplifting activities that can be used with students in any learning environment.
Currently, we are working on creating Conscious Ed Nature Warrior workshops to help teens get in touch with inner strength and confidence.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends come to visit, I recommend the Summit Resort which is family friendly and very comfortable with full kitchens in each unit. If they are looking for something more quaint, Sky Ranch Lodge is a sweet hotel up by the Sedona airport The Mesa grill is the restaurant next door and it’s fun to watch the planes and helicopters come and go while enjoying your meal. They are pet friendly and I’ve always enjoyed their unique flavor combinations. We would definitely go out on the land for hiking and picnics. We’d hike around airport mesa and explore the creek around crescent moon ranch. We would drive up oak creek canyon and walk around the scenic view at the top of the switchbacks. If kids are involved we would take a drive and visit Out of Africa or Bearizona.
We would have to go to my favorite places, Chocolatree and the Local Juicery for healthy lunches and later in the day, a glass of wine at Vino di Sedona, or a few beers at Oak Creek Brewery in West Sedona. To be honest, I avoid the crowded tourist areas and have learned to keep some of my favorite places a secret (lol), but for the most part, any one who visits this beautiful area comes with respect and appreciation.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has been indispensable in this project. My mom, a former educator turned life coach, has constantly encouraged, inspired and challenged me to follow my instincts and question the status quo in education. My dad has volunteered for us every step of the way by serving on our governing board, designing our promotional materials, as well as teaching art classes and outdoor skills at our after school program. My children have been the foundation of this dream. By watching them passionately pursue their artistic talents and individual gifts, I saw how powerful it is to embrace creative expression in our daily lives.

Website: Consciousedsedona.com

Instagram: Conscious.education

Linkedin: Shandra Light Ryan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativechildcareclub.org?mibextid=LQQJ4d