Spotlight: Malaree Shields (RI '23)

Rhode Island Milken Educator Malaree Shields is a ninth through 12^th grade engineering and STEM teacher at North Kingstown High School. In her classroom, students build and program robots to navigate an obstacle course. Shields is passionate about creating collaborative and adaptive learning environments. She’s positive that her students can have an enormous positive impact in the world. “I hope my students feel empowered to create good in the world in whatever way they think they are best suited to do so.” Shields received a 2023-24 Rhode Island Milken Educator Award in North Kingstown on October 10, 2023.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise? 

I think my robotics team was the most excited about my Milken Award. Partially because they were proud and happy for me, but also because they know that I absolutely hate attention and crowds, and the Milken Award announcement included news cameras, state and local officials, cheerleaders, a chorus, and a jazz band.  I think they found my horror at the spectacle of it all pretty funny. After all the excitement ended, I really hope that my robotics team (especially my outreach team) realized that so much of what I was recognized for is credited to them. I am just lucky enough to be able to stand by their side and support them in all that they do. I am so proud of them and so grateful for all the opportunities they bring into my life.  

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator? Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped who you are as an educator? 

Three of the kindest, loving, and most intelligent women I know — my mother, aunt and grandmother — were all teachers. Growing up I aspired to be just like them, hoping to embody even the smallest piece of their grace and compassion. They are easily my greatest role models both professionally and personally, however, my entire life has been shaped by so many excellent teachers who dedicated their lives to serving others. It would be hard to pick a single experience in the classroom that shaped me as an educator because I had so many extraordinary teachers. Each teacher had their own unique strengths which they selflessly shared with their students, helping everyone, not just me, grow academically, personally and professionally.  

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. What memories stand out? Who or what helped you through it? 

I was incredibly lucky in my first year of teaching because I landed a job at North Kingstown High School, where I had student-taught the year prior. Because of this earlier connection, I had a phenomenal network of colleagues who helped me navigate my first year. Without their continual support, guidance and wisdom, I would not have lasted in the teaching profession for very long. Since that first year, many of those mentors have become true friends. We not only share the joys (and challenges) of being educators together, but we also have been by each other’s sides through all of life’s moments. I especially would be lost without my “science ladies,” Melissa, Rachel and Lauren. My entire department is phenomenal, and I am so grateful for all of them, however, these ladies are the absolute best models of professionalism, intelligence and problem-solving. More importantly, they are caring, kind and compassionate. We laugh together, cry together, and spend countless hours during lunch and common planning time enjoying each other's company. Both personally and professionally without these extraordinary friends, my life would not be the same.  

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you? 

I hope they remember that they are important, that they have so much value, and that our future as a society is in their hands, therefore it is very well-kept. I hope my students feel empowered to create good in the world in whatever way they think they are best suited to do so. Really, that is a long way of saying that I hope they remember that I am proud of them, and I am positive that each can have an enormous impact on the world. 

MFF: You are known as a strong advocate for CTE through your work in NKHS' Academy of Engineering pathway. Why is this pathway so important for today’s high school students? 

I think what is so impactful about the engineering CTE pathway is that it is hands-on and deeply rooted in giving students the opportunity to explore and address real-world challenges. Students have so many opportunities to examine new ideas, think creatively, and learn from both their successes and failures.  I think this pathway, and all CTE pathways, gives students a unique opportunity to build strong connections with their peers, allowing students to make lifelong friendships that extend far beyond high school. The impact of these deep, meaningful, and highly collaborative connections empowers students to take more positive risks and assume more responsibilities, which better prepares them for the future. I love seeing the friendships and connections that form during students’ four years in the CTE pathway, and I think these friendships are what set students up for personal and professional success. 

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers? 

Becoming a teacher is not a decision to take lightly. It is a demanding, complex, and rapidly evolving field. That being said, education can be one of the most rewarding careers because you will have the opportunity to positively impact so many people’s lives over the course of your career.