Dr. Shannon Stanton Agbotse is an educator, curriculum developer, author, and founder of Lift Up Publishing and Explore Black History. She brings over 25 years of experience in education and is a Professor Emerita of Teacher Education at Whittier College,

 having spent nearly two decades preparing future teachers to work with diverse learners through culturally responsive and academically rigorous practices.

Her work spans elementary, secondary, and higher education. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Long Beach Unified School District, where she was recognized as Sallie Mae Teacher of the Year, and went on to teach middle school and high school students before transitioning into higher education. As a professor, she mentored aspiring educators, developed curriculum, and led workshops and research presentations at local, national, and international levels.

Dr. Agbotse earned her undergraduate degrees in American Literature and African American Studies from University of California, Los Angeles, a Teaching Credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills, a Master of Education from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Education from University of California, Berkeley. She has been recognized for excellence in teaching, including receiving the Outstanding Graduate Instructor Award from UC Berkeley and the Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award from Whittier College.

Driven by both her professional expertise and personal conviction, Dr. Agbotse founded Explore Black History to address a critical gap in how Black history is taught. After years of seeing curriculum that was incomplete, disconnected, or limited in scope, she created resources that help children learn history in a way that is accurate, empowering, and developmentally appropriate.

Through Lift Up Publishing, she develops books, curriculum, and learning tools that bring these experiences directly to families and educators. She is also the host of the podcast Explore Black History on the Go, where she shares engaging, story-based episodes designed to make history accessible and meaningful for children.

In addition, Dr. Agbotse is the founder and director of Hosanna Academy, where she con tinues her work of creating learning environments that nurture children’s academic excellence, identity, and purpose.

Her work sits at the intersection of faith, education, and culture—helping children understand who they are, where they come from, and what they are capable of becoming.