After 24 years of dedicated service to The Shipley School, Dr. Sharron Russell, Director of Student Support and Well-Being, will be departing after the 2024-2025 school year to begin an exciting new professional chapter in the United Kingdom, where she will serve as an Educational Psychologist for the Salford Council.

Sharron’s Shipley story began in 1995, when she was hired to teach a health class. Over the course of two distinct tenures (1995–2005 and 2011–2025), she has shaped our community in profound and lasting ways. A social worker, licensed and certified school psychologist, and passionate advocate for student well-being, Sharron is perhaps best known as the architect of Shipley’s SEED program—our pioneering Social, Emotional, and Ethical Development initiative. Her early work in this area laid the foundation for Shipley to become the nation’s first PreK–Grade 12 Positive Education school and ultimately inspired the development of the science-based Shipley Framework for Well-Being.

Sharron’s impact goes far beyond programs and policies. Known for her calm, solution-focused mindset and dry British wit, she has long been a source of warmth, wisdom, and unwavering support to Shipley students and colleagues alike. Whether offering guidance in her cozy attic office, cheering from the sidelines or with the Spirit Squad at athletic events, or teaching colleagues how to line dance, Sharron has always brought heart, humor, and humanity to all she does.

Reflecting on her time at Shipley, Sharron shared, “From the moment I walked in the door, I have always felt the support of the school in being and becoming my best self. I have had the privilege of trying so many different roles and being supported to grow and learn to do those roles.”

A two-time recipient of the Colleague Recognition Award and an Honorary Alumna of the School, Sharron has led with vision and care, helping to grow a strong Student Support Team and championing student mental health in ways that will resonate for generations. Her leadership has extended beyond Shipley, too, through national and international conference presentations and her influence in the broader Positive Education movement.

According to Interim Head of School Steve Lisk, “Sharron’s contributions to Shipley are immediately apparent, because she has built programs that significantly shape the student experience and have defined the professional focus here for a long time. Everywhere, her contributions show a blend of vision supported by sustained commitment, consideration of healthy full human development, and a natural appreciation of the good that a school should create. Her contributions to the programs and culture within Shipley are tremendous, and her regular presence within school elevates our ongoing work. Needless to say, she will be deeply missed. At the same time, her accomplishments here are so well established that her strong and positive legacy is assured.”

As she prepares to move to the Manchester-area with her husband, Chris, and their beloved dachshunds, we offer our deepest gratitude for all that Sharron has given to Shipley. She leaves behind a legacy of empathy, innovation, and deep belief in the potential of every student.

Why I Stayed: I have always felt that people here believed in me and trusted me. The relationships I have built within this community are so important to me and will last well beyond my working here. 
 
Lasting Memories: So, so many! The past few years, it has been the Spirit Squad and the way they pull together performances, especially the one when Mr. Ryan joined, that has been most memorable.
 
I Am Thankful for: From the moment I walked in the door, I have always felt the support of the School in being and becoming my best self. I have had the privilege of trying so many different roles and being supported to grow and learn to do those roles. I earned a second Master's degree while here the first time and my Doctorate in 2016. I would never have been able to do that without the flexibility of the School and the way we support love of learning for everyone.
 

I Am Proud of: The Student Support Team who are usually the "behind the scenes" people who can't always be recognized due to the confidentiality of their work. From the nurses who truly save lives from a physical health perspective, the counselors who do the same for both students and colleagues around their mental health, and our academic support team who make sure that every student knows their strengths when helping them to learn, I couldn't be prouder of this team!
 
What I Will Miss Most: The big moments and traditions that are only at Shipley - Acorns and Oaks, the school song with the tune from Dirty Dancing (at least in my reference), Super Saturday — and the people who I have come to know and love.
 
Next Chapter: We are moving to the UK, specifically to the Manchester area, where I will be working for the Salford Council as an Educational Psychologist. The Salford Council have been implementing a whole-school wellbeing program for the past 10 years, so in addition to my work as a psychologist doing evaluations and consultation in schools, I will be able to bring my work and experience from our well-being framework to them.