Class of 14 Shanice Whitney: Finding Her Place in the World

Finding Her Place in the World

Educator. Innovator. World Traveler. Those are among the best words to describe Shanice Whitney ’14, who has found her home and career calling on the other side of the world.

Whitney has always hungered for international adventures. Promptly after earning her degree from Simpson in elementary education, she ventured to Kuwait for a pair of second grade teaching stints over four years with the American Creativity Academy and American School of Kuwait.

She returned to the U.S. for five years to continue her career in education, but her heart called her back to the Middle East “I missed the excitement and fulfillment of teaching abroad,” said Whitney. So, in 2023, she jetted to Doha, Qatar, for a one-year teaching assignment. Today, she is loving life as an educator in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“It feels like the perfect next step,” she said. “Dubai is a city full of life, culture and adventure — and it offers endless opportunities to follow your dreams.”

Inspiring Others to Dream Big

Whitney’s dream is to equip other educators to discover the joy of teaching and living abroad through her Teach Travel Thrive initiative, which she founded in 2023. She provides guidance, resources and support for teachers desiring to live and work outside of the U.S.

“I believe every teacher deserves the chance to explore the world and thrive, both professionally and personally,” said Whitney. “Teaching abroad has given me that gift and I am dedicated to inspiring the students in my classroom and teachers who want to take this journey at the same time.”

Continually eager to help fuel the rise of global teaching communities, Whitney most recently hosted a workshop in Amsterdam — connecting with future educators about the incredible world of possibilities awaiting them.

“It was inspiring to speak with a multicultural group of students about how they can start their international teaching journey. It’s incredible to empower others to follow their dreams and open their minds to the opportunities waiting for them outside of their fear to take the next step.”

Whitney has never shied away from intimidating challenges ever since her days at Simpson singing the national anthem at sporting events and performing in theater productions.

“Simpson gave me the space to step into my natural role as a leader, which ultimately led to the founding of Teach Travel Thrive. I’ll always be grateful for that opportunity to grow.”