Shawna Hnatyszyn

Ms. Shawna Hnatyszyn's career began as a Kindergarten teacher in a school district outside of Washington D.C. She taught as a classroom teacher in the elementary grades for over ten years. Her next career goal was working with students who needed ELA and Math support as an academic intervention specialist.  During this time, she completed the Advanced Certificate Program in TESOL Education at Canisius University. She found her new passion in working exclusively with English Language Learners and continues to teach today in the  Buffalo Public School District as a TESOL teacher. 

Ms. Hnatyszyn brings over 19 years of teaching expertise to Canisius University. Her classrooms have served as learning environments for many student teachers, junior participants, and fieldwork placements in neighboring school districts. Since 2020, she has taught as an adjunct professor in the TESOL Department. She teaches courses in cultural perspectives and theories/research in multilingual education. 

Most recently, Ms. Hnatyszyn was nominated in 2022 as one of the candidates for Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by "Friends For A Better Buffalo." Writing and illustrating a children's book based on her school adventures is next on her career list.