Looking around college counselor Emily Shideler’s office one can find her entire story written right there on the walls, told through pictures, notes, mementos, name badges, and the cutest cat polaroids. But, do stick around for this article, so you can learn her story in a chronological order.
Shideler’s story begins as a teenager who, ironically, had no idea what she would do in college. She ended up at TCU as a political science and economics major, which eventually took her to what she imagined to be her dream job: working at a nonprofit in Washington, D.C.
She ended up hating every second of it. She realized that what she actually wanted to do was work in a place that would allow her to be on a college campus, enjoying all it has to offer. It was then she learned from her academic advisor that she could.
Because of Shideler’s academic prowess in high school, she was on track to graduate early, so she shifted gears and worked five different jobs around the TCU campus, and took additional classes awarding her an additional degree in education, opening the door to being able to work on campuses.
Also at TCU, Shiedler participated in an acapella group where she met her husband, “Pitch Perfect” style. Now married, Shieldler continues to make features on her husband’s music, which can be found on Spotify!
Shideler always knew that she would get her master’s degree as it was an unsaid expectation from herself and the people around her. She also understood that to work in the field of learning, she would have to do some of that herself.
“Education cares about education,” Shideler said.
Her sister, whom she is very close with, would insist on telling Shideler to get her masters in education at her alma mater, Texas A&M University. After understanding that an experience different from TCU would be interesting and most likely fun, Shideler agreed and successfully applied for her masters.
During her time at TCU, Shideler learned a lot about event planning. She was able to apply her skills in marketing and communications at A&M. This experience led her to co-host a podcast for the office of financial aid at A&M, which then extended to further responsibilities, like working in the Young Alumni Network.
After completing her masters, Shideler was ready for a change. She packed up and moved to working at UT Arlington’s Honor College.
But Shideler has a knack for wanting more. Because she loves the world of education, it is important to her that the environment that students are surrounded by is not only inviting and comforting, but also always improving. For that to happen she, as an educator, has to grow, too.
“[An educator doesn’t] just do one thing, [they] do a million things,” Shideler said.
At the honors college, she began by working in a small office, but by her last year working there, she had the team of her dreams. She scaled up the amount of staff and made programs so inviting for students to the point that over 70% of the honors students were participating in at least one activity per semester.
Then Shideler wanted to shake things up. She came to Fort Worth Country Day to watch her niece in the Nutcracker and after walking around campus with her family, she was enthralled with the school. When she found that a position was open at FWCD, she knew it was her sign for change.
Since coming to FWCD, Shideler has made many memories. One of the most notable to her was the way the community has welcomed her.
Shideler’s arrival to Country Day was delayed because of a trip previously scheduled. The moment she arrived on campus not only were people coming to welcome her to the school, but they were asking about her trip and small details that she had mentioned in passing during the time she was setting up her office.
“If people remember details about you, it’s on purpose,” Shideler said.
Outside of school you can probably find Shideler participating in “grandmother hobbies” from cross-stitch to embroidery, Shideler likes to stay creative because she believes that creativity is integral to all people. She also paints and draws, but embroidery is number one.
“I feel like creativity is really important,” Shideler said.
But what really ties the bow on Shideler kindergarten teacher aesthetic (other than her collection of overalls) is the cuteness of her cat Maple–whom she got through the cat distribution system of the world–and her knack for reading murder mysteries on a cozy night.
It’s only Shideler’s first year at FWCD, but she is already loving it and is excited for what is to come in her next few years.
So the next time you stop by Shideler’s office, take a look around the room and ask to see pictures of Maple because you won’t regret it.
