Suzan Shumate

Suzan Shumate, high school math and science teacher, joins Siena with five years of teaching experience and is excited to continue working with K-12 students with language-based learning differences. She has a B.S. in Biology from William & Mary and a Master's in Genetics from the University of Cambridge. After graduating, Suzan continued to work in virology labs for several years while also honing her teaching skills with private tutoring experience. She eventually became a full-time teacher, teaching math, science, language, and violin at Fusion Academy in Vienna, Virginia. She also recently received training in teaching Multisensory Math at Siena. Given her background as a research scientist, Suzan has a passion for creative and collaborative approaches to STEM education, emphasizing students' unique strengths and real-world connections. She believes in making learning enjoyable and values the mission of Siena in nurturing students' growth according to their strengths and interests.

Why I Teach At Siena: I love Siena's mission and model. It is so special to see how we encourage student individuality while also supporting social-emotional and academic growth.