Shayla Anderson
Lead Teacher and Guide
There’s something about the way dawn whispers, “so much is out there waiting”
that keeps my dreams breathing…
Shayla has her bachelors and masters in Special Education. Her multicategorical license enables her to teach students with an array of diagnoses, including but not limited to learning disabilities, physical disabilities, Autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral impairments.
She has taught grades K-12 in the public school system in South Carolina and Florida, as well as served as the program coordinator for the South Carolina Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium serving as a liaison for the 6 colleges and universities in South Carolina supporting young adults with disabilities that are pursuing an education at the postsecondary level. Her passion for working with children and young adults with disabilities has driven her career thus far in ways she never knew possible.
Her background and skillset teaching and collaborating with others (parents, administrators, community agencies) will make her a wonderful advocate for and supporter of all individuals that attend or take part in what Old Mill Creek has to offer. Over the years, her sense of self has evolved within her exposure to and work with horses, and due to this, Shayla is excited to pursue her Natural Lifemanship certification and incorporate its principles into her daily work and life.
Shayla is an avid dreamer, grateful for where life has her, while constantly being enthralled with the bigger picture and presence that we as living beings get to explore. Shayla has always loved animals, particularly dolphins and horses, and since the 4 th grade knew she wanted to pursue therapy-based work. In 2019 she was able to live out her childhood dream at Island Dolphin Care as an intern serving children, young adults and adults with disabilities from around the world. Since that milestone, she has been open to chasing whatever opportunities arise in supporting individuals with disabilities realize and reach their dreams despite their diagnoses.
3 years ago, she founded her own program, HERD, Helping Everyone Reach their Dreams. Since its inception, her primary focus has been to create a space where individuals with and without disabilities have access to experiences with horses and humans that increase their independence, daily functioning, sense of belonging, communication, self-efficacy, and more. It is her long-term goal and dream to eventually have a working farm and offer an avenue of employment to young adults with disabilities, while also continuing to serve children and adolescence with diverse backgrounds. An environment where their strengths are channeled and fostered to help them build and lead productive lives.
Get to know Shayla.
- B.A. & M.Ed. from Coastal Carolina University
- 2 years teaching in the public school system
- Founder of HERD Programs, LLC
- 8 years volunteering and/or working at barns and centers offering therapeutic riding and/or equine assisted services
- Sunrise and sunset enthusiast
- Devoted farm and pet sitter