Kerri Shaw has always had a strong orientation toward community and relational work. That thread runs through her career in social work field education, her role as director of a community health worker program, and now her position as Associate Professor in Antioch College’s Co-op Program.
“My work in both social work field education and as the director of the community health worker program was centered around experiential learning, so the Co-op position aligned well with my experience and values,” Shaw says.
After moving from Athens to Dayton five years ago and working remotely, Shaw felt it was time to return to campus life and become part of an in-person community again.
From Appalachia to Antioch
Growing up in a working-class family connected to loved ones who sometimes struggled with poverty, addiction, and disabilities, Shaw knew early on that social work was her path. When she went to college, it was the only major she considered.
Living in Paraguay as a Peace Corps Volunteer and later practicing social work in rural Appalachia illuminated how important community health workers were in communities facing severe health disparities and lacking access to services. They were a much-needed and missing piece of the puzzle, so Shaw committed herself to growing the CHW workforce for the past ten years.
Teaching with Openness and Flexibility
Shaw hopes students approach Co-op with openness and flexibility. “Some of my most valuable learning experiences have been when doing the unexpected, taking a chance, and saying yes even when it was uncomfortable,” she says.
As a self-described “doer,” Shaw expects to be engaged in community activities quickly. She is excited to grow Antioch’s community partners list, using the college’s mission as a lens for identifying meaningful, justice-oriented opportunities for students.
Current Work and Community Engagement
Shaw will continue to serve as a content expert and leader in the field of community health work. She is also exploring a collaboration with a former student in Ghana to train community health workers there.
Her experience developing programs that address health and gender equity, food insecurity, immigration justice, and workforce disparities informs her teaching. She provides concrete examples of addressing community problems, challenging unjust policies, advocating for those whose voices are silenced, and collaborating with others to be a change agent.
“On a personal level, I strive to be a deep listener and pay attention to the needs and challenges of each student,” Shaw says. “I want to be a source of support and encouragement so that they can be their best selves in Co-op, at Antioch, and beyond.”
The Antioch Connection
For Shaw, Antioch feels like coming home. Her family has deep roots in Yellow Springs, and she sees her values reflected everywhere on campus. “It is a nourishing reminder of what the world can be when we live in deep community and honor diversity,” she says. “I also love to watch students blossom through real-world experiences, so Co-op is a great fit for me.”
Shaw sees cooperative education and community-engaged learning as natural complements to Antioch’s dual work program. Co-op and ACW (Antioch College Works) allow students to cross-pollinate skills while building confidence.
“We don’t learn in silos,” Shaw says. “ACW is a way for students to practice interconnectedness, which can help them step into Co-op, work relationships, and new communities with increased readiness and ability to integrate.”
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of teaching, Shaw is an active member of the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition (MVIC), where she helps neighbors in Dayton navigate life as an immigrant. She also enjoys traveling with her family, reading, kayaking, gardening, preserving food, and hiking with her dogs.
Her volunteer work with MVIC keeps her grounded and actively practicing cultural humility (and her Spanish skills). “It reminds me that it takes all kinds of approaches to social justice to make the world a more welcoming place, that there is not one right way,” Shaw says. “I hope that I bring this openness and humility to my teaching.”
She also values work-life balance, noting that practicing self-care makes her a better educator and example to those around her.
And something students might be surprised to learn: Shaw once had a sheep farm.
