Representing Exuberance and Excellence in Education  

Shea Richardson is honored at the College of Education and Human Services for her outstanding achievements as an educator and leader.

“Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it.”

This mantra replayed in Shea Richardson’s head ever since she sat down in the office of Director of the Puerto Rican Institute, Dr. Frank Morales, where she was just a freshman starting her undergraduate experience at Seton Hall University. It was the spark that ignited her career as an educator and leader in her community.

As the Supervisor of Social Studies for the East Orange School District’s Division of Curriculum and Instruction, Richardson's mission is to embrace, expose and empower scholars to work hard and foster their potential for great things.

Richardson was honored for being a dedicated and inspired educator on April 25, when she received the Hanbury Alumni Mission Award from Seton Hall. The award is presented each year by the College of Education and Human Services to honor the work of alumni who are committed to service in order to care, nurture, and inspire those who are challenged or in need. Richardson was recognized at the College’s alumni reception at McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange, New Jersey.

CEHS Interim Dean, Joseph Martinelli, Ed.D., addressed the audience of alumni, students, staff and friends of the college, about Richardson’s accomplishments serving her hometown of East Orange, New Jersey and the school district there. “It's Ms. Richardson's belief that each scholar is destined for greatness, and her ultimate mission is to encourage every scholar to use the power in their voice combined with their special gifts to be upstanders for justice that work to make our communities, nation, and world a better place,” Martinelli said.

Interim Dean, Joseph Martinelli, Ed.D., introduces and presents the Hanbury Alumni Mission Award to Shea Richardson.

At the age of 4, Richardson began her education in the East Orange School District and graduated from high school with a passion for education and history. Shea enrolled at Seton Hall University as a proud scholar of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Association (MLKSA), She earned a B.S.E. in Secondary Education and History and an M.A. in Education with a certification as a School Library Media Specialist.

With degree in hand, Richardson was eager to start her career in education and began as a Social Studies teacher at East Orange Campus High School. She was a three-time finalist for the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year and was awarded that honor during the 2010-2011 academic year. After an amazing 11-year tenure in the classroom, Richardson ascended to the role of Department Chair of Social Studies where she supervised the Social Studies, World Language, and ESL departments at East Orange Campus High School.

“My experiences as an educator have been rich,” Shea Richardson explains. “My scholars taught me many valuable lessons and it brings me joy, honor, and humility to serve my former scholars, current scholars, future scholars, colleagues, and families. Together, we’re the stakeholders that must continue to work harmoniously to make our communities, nation, and world a better place.” Richardson recognizes that today’s scholars need to be globally connected, which is why she has piloted numerous programs for her students and faculty to connect nationally and internationally, while bringing diversity and rich history into her daily work.

Richardson accepts the Hanbury Alumni Mission Award and thanks her colleagues, mentors, past professors and her family for their support.

In her acceptance speech, Richardson thanked the late Father Kevin Hanbury, Dean Martinelli, James Daly, Daniel Katz, and William McCartan who were her professors during her undergraduate years at Seton Hall . She also gave a special thanks to Associate Dean Omayra Arocho, for her “unwavering support and for ultimately being an advocate and a voice of feminine power during your leadership with the MLKSA.”

Richardson ended her speech by leaving the audience with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. to ponder: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

Categories: Education