She Is... Shanine Young (International Women's Day 2025 Feature)
4
34
1
In honour of International Women’s Day, Noble Media Network has partnered with With A Purpose International’s "She Is" Initiative to highlight 8 women who inspire us to have bold faith. The "She Is" Initiative celebrates women who lead with authenticity and confidence as they walk in their purpose.
Shanine Young has spent over a decade in education, but her impact extends far beyond the classroom. As a world-renowned author, emotional literacy specialist, author coach, and speaker, she has built a platform that helps educators, entrepreneurs, and professionals confidently use their voices, share their expertise, and build thriving brands.
Through her company, Reaching While Teaching, she equips individuals with the tools to increase their confidence, master emotional intelligence, and create meaningful change through books and education. A native of Florida, USA, Shanine has been recognized by outlets such as Fox, and Voyage Miami, solidifying her as a sought-after expert in publishing, coaching, and educational leadership.
Reaching While Teaching – From the Classroom to Global Influence
When Shanine published her first book, “Reaching While Teaching: An Educator's Guide to Impacting & Transforming Lives” (2020), she was still a full-time educator navigating the demands of teaching. Despite this, she successfully sold hundreds of copies, sparking curiosity from others who wanted to understand how she did it.
Realizing there was a gap in knowledge for aspiring authors, she developed a course breaking down the strategies behind her successful book launch. This led to the creation of her signature program, the Books 2 Impact Publishing Accelerator, where she helps entrepreneurs, educators, and speakers publish and market their own books—transforming their experiences into powerful tools for influence.
Her work isn’t just about helping authors publish books. It’s about helping them own their stories, amplify their voices, and step into purpose with confidence.
To Teach or Not to Teach – Changing the Narrative in Education
For many educators, the question isn’t just about teaching—it’s about sustainability, purpose, and legacy. Shanine co-authored the To Teach or Not to Teach® book, which features a total of ten educators sharing their personal experiences on whether to remain in the classroom or transition into new opportunities.
This conversation quickly grew into something bigger. Shanine trademarked the To Teach or Not to Teach® movement, which now includes three volumes of books and has helped over 30 educators around the world become impactful and profitable authors.
She also launched the To Teach or Not to Teach® Conference, a space where professionals come together to network, learn business strategies, and gain insight from successful authors and industry leaders.
Through this initiative, Shanine is reshaping the way people think about education and career transitions, proving that there are multiple ways to make an impact—inside or outside the classroom.
Building a Legacy
Beyond her own publishing success, Shanine is raising the next generation of authors—starting with her own daughter. At just three years old, Shanel became a co-author alongside her mother in the book Shanel’s World, a children’s story celebrating uniqueness and highlighting the various food allergies children may encounter. Together, they go on tours to schools and organizations, inspiring young minds to embrace their individuality and build confidence.
This project reflects Shanine’s larger mission: helping others recognize the power of their voice, their story, and their experiences. Whether coaching authors, or leading transformational conversations in education, she continues to prove that impact is limitless when purpose and strategy align.
A Closer Look w/ Shanine Young
I had to be reminded that God can use anyone and that includes me. It doesn’t matter how small or ordinary our stories feel. ~ Shanine Young
You’ve successfully built an entire platform around empowering others to use their voices. When was the moment you realized that your own voice had power?
SHANINE: Honestly, I didn’t always feel like my story was important enough. There were so many times I questioned, “Why would anyone care what I have to say?” But I had to be reminded that God can use anyone and that includes me. It doesn’t matter how small or ordinary our stories feel.
I started to realize the power of my voice when I began posting small videos online, just sharing what was on my heart. People started listening, engaging, and asking for more. When I got my first few speaking engagements and saw the way people were leaning in, taking notes, and asking questions, I knew my voice carried impact. That’s when I knew I couldn’t count myself out.
Stepping away from the classroom and into global influence required a shift in mindset. What was the biggest internal hurdle you had to overcome?
SHANINE: The biggest hurdle was believing that what God placed inside of me was bigger than the classroom walls. Education was familiar, safe, and structured but deep down, I knew God was calling me to reach more lives beyond those four walls.
I had to break out of the mindset that my impact was only limited to my students or a traditional job title. Now, I see how God still allows me to pour into students, schools, and educators, just in a different way. The calling was always there, I just had to be bold enough to answer it.
Faith often demands action before certainty. Was there ever a point where you questioned your path? How did you push forward?
SHANINE: Absolutely. There were moments where I questioned if I made the right decision, especially in the beginning when things weren't moving as fast as I expected. I wondered if I should just go back to the classroom because that felt easier. But what kept me pushing forward was knowing that God never gives us vision without provision.
Even when I couldn't see how it would all work out, I trusted that He would guide my steps. Every time I kept going, another door would open, whether it was a speaking opportunity, a client signing up, or seeing how my daughter's confidence grew through becoming an author.
Your first book, Reaching While Teaching, was written while you were still navigating a full-time teaching career. What was the driving force behind making it happen?
SHANINE: I was in a season where I felt called to something more but I didn't know what that looked like yet. Writing Reaching While Teaching was my way of encouraging others, but at the same time, God was encouraging me through the process.
I wrote that book while juggling teaching full-time, being a wife, a mom to a toddler, and barely having any free time. But I knew the message inside of me needed to come out. I didn't want to wait for the perfect time, I just wanted to be obedient.
You’ve helped so many aspiring authors launch their books. What’s the biggest struggle you find that people battle with when trying to share their stories?
SHANINE: The biggest struggle is thinking their story isn't valuable enough. So many people count themselves out before they even start writing because they compare their journey to others. They think, "I'm not an expert," or "Who would want to read my story?" But the truth is, your story isn't just for you, it's for the people God assigned to your voice.
What I've learned is that it's not about having a perfect story—it's about being willing to share the lessons and experiences that can empower someone else.
In an era where content is everywhere, what makes a book stand out?
SHANINE: A book stands out when it's written from a place of authenticity and strategy. Anybody can put words on paper, but what makes a book impactful is when the author is intentional about the message, the marketing, and the mission behind it.
A lot of authors think their job is done once they finish writing—but the work is just beginning. You have to position your book to reach the right people and create a movement around it. That's what I help my clients do, turn their books into tools that build legacy and income.
Your daughter is also an author at just 3 years of age. How important was it for you to help her share her story?
SHANINE: It was extremely important because I didn't want her to ever question if her voice mattered—the way I once did. I wanted her to know that she could inspire others at any age. Watching her confidence grow through becoming an author showed me that this work isn't just about me—it's about building the next generation.
She's already been on tour with me, speaking to classrooms, and showing other kids what's possible. I truly believe that confidence starts at home and I wanted to plant that seed early.
Teaching is often viewed as a lifelong career. What made you challenge that traditional narrative and start the To Teach or Not to Teach® movement?
SHANINE: I knew I was meant to educate beyond the classroom. For so long, I thought being a teacher meant I had to follow the same path everyone else did, retire after 30 years, maybe become an administrator—but I knew there was more.
God began showing me that I could still teach, but in a different way. The To Teach or Not to Teach® movement is about helping other educators realize they don't have to box themselves in either. You can teach through your voice, your story, your business and still make an impact.
Leaving a structured profession like education can feel daunting. What do you say to teachers who feel called to something more but fear the unknown?
SHANINE: I'd say that obedience is better than comfort. I know what it feels like to crave stability, especially when you have a family depending on you. But I also know what it feels like to wake up every day knowing you're not walking in your full purpose.
If God is calling you to something more, He will provide every step of the way. You just have to take the first step even if you're scared.
Where do you see your impact reaching in the coming years?
SHANINE: I see generational impact, not just through my books, but through the books of my clients. I see millions of copies being sold and lives being transformed by the stories that God has assigned to our voices. I see this movement catching on like wildfire, with eyes being opened, chains being broken, and people walking in purpose because someone was bold enough to share their story.
Even though this journey hasn't been easy, I'm committed to pushing forward, not just for myself, but for the generations that are connected to my obedience. I'm building legacy one book at a time, starting with my own household and I believe that the seeds we're planting today will bear fruit for years and years to come.
Connect with Shanine Young on her social pages:
Websites:
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
Great and interesting article. Very good read. I really enjoyed reading this article. Congratulations @Shanine Young!!! Well done!