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Hobbies and interests
Neuroscience
Clinical Psychology
Theology and Religious Studies
Reading
Psychology
Religion
Spirituality
I read books daily
Shante Johnson
4,345
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/facetune110720231521514db66e641f854f7ba6d6aebca64f99f6.webp)
Shante Johnson
4,345
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
Therapy is more about building new associations, making new, healthier default pathways. It is almost as if therapy is taking your two-lane dirt road and building a four-lane freeway alongside it. The old road stays, but you don’t use it much anymore.” -- Bruce D. Perry --
Finding a path to success is often a complex and deeply personal process, complicated by the unique circumstances that shape our eventual destinies. The decision to pursue a career in Corrections was not a predetermined path for me; rather, this journey has unfolded in front of me, influenced by a legacy of disciplined public safety professionals within my family. Through my exposure to the criminal justice system in all of its complexity and interdependence, I became poignantly aware of the opportunity for growth and transformation in all individuals, regardless of the background that follows them. Instead of viewing the prison system as a punishment, or a sentence here a stamp of irredeemability, I recognized that each of us carries a transformation story, punctuated with chances at redemption. Having a meaningful impact is deeply personal to me in this way; though my circumstances may have been different, a second chance has more than once been pivotal in my journey, too. Returning to complete school is the newest second chance opportunity I have been given, and through this a commitment to facilitating as many transformations as my career will allow.
Education
Saint Leo University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, General
Minors:
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Correctional Lieutenant
Florida Department of Corrections2024 – Present8 monthsCorrectional Sergeant
Florida Department of Corrections2021 – 20243 yearsCertified Correctional Officer
Florida Department of Corrections2019 – Present5 years
Sports
Weightlifting
Club2014 – Present10 years
Research
Religion/Religious Studies
SLU Center for Catholic Jewish Studies — Interfaith Fellow2021 – 2022Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Virtual Enterprises International — CEO2014 – 2015
Public services
Volunteering
Crisis Text Line — Crisis Text Counselor2024 – PresentPublic Service (Politics)
Florida Department of Corrections — Correctional Officer2019 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Jeannine Schroeder Women in Public Service Memorial Scholarship
WinnerAs I near my five-year anniversary as a Correctional Officer, I often reflect on the dedication I have made to making a meaningful impact and serving my community. My commitment originates from a deeply personal mission; where I watched my mother overcome adversity and desired to break generational cycles for the betterment of my own family. Through this journey, I recognized a need for a transformation in the community at large.
My first steps into public service began with the desire to emulate the success of my family members who had forged long, fulfilling careers in criminal justice. As I entered this world, I began to recognize that the justice system, specifically in corrections, desperately needed a new approach. Rather than merely punishing surface-level behaviors, it was clear to me that delving into the root causes that lead individuals down destructive paths was necessitated if the rehabilitation mission were to be successful. This realization began my journey into spirituality and psychology as possible interventions to recidivism and criminal behavior.
I have seen firsthand, both in my own life and in the lives of the offenders in my charge, the profound impact of trauma on individuals in our community. Many incarcerated people share traumatic experiences in common: moments and milestones that shaped their mindsets and behaviors as adults and ultimately hinder their chances of success. Where the current penal system perpetuates a cycle of punishment that further encourages offenders to crime by limiting their opportunities for growth, I am dedicated to reshaping that cycle by addressing the underlying trauma.
Unique insights can be gleaned from our own experiences with trauma, and I am no different. I understand the challenges individuals can face in overcoming these experiences; for myself I lived with a sense that I was not valuable unless I was achieving. I witnessed my mother, too, survive trauma, yet exhibit great resilience and determination in the face of this adversity. While she has been my inspiration, I sometimes feel a distinct sadness to see the way her pain is still her primary motivator. Both because of and in spite of this, I have resolved to remain empathetic, connecting with those within the correctional system not just as an enforcer of rules but as a catalyst for positive change.
My career goals are centered around expanding my impact in the correctional setting beyond the confines of providing security and order. I aspire to transition into a role where I can implement trauma-informed mental health programming within the rehabilitation system, even if that means a hard-won battle to bring attention to a service that has not been fully accepted as being necessary. I will need to bridge the gap between my security and safety awareness with my knowledge and practice in the field of psychology. I envision a shift towards an approach to rehabilitation that empowers individuals to truly confront the past that is affecting their present, fostering change that resonates inside of institutions, as well as in the community at large.