Women’s History Month Family Spotlight: Shaunte Barnes Chappell, Educator, Leader, and Legacy Carrier

During Women’s History Month, the Barnes Blow Family proudly celebrates Shaunte Barnes Chappell, an exceptional educator whose dedication to teaching, leadership, faith, and family reflects the values of service, compassion, and excellence that define our family heritage.

Shaunte Barnes Chappell

For more than twenty‑five years, Shaunte has been nurturing young minds and inspiring students to believe in their potential and pursue excellence. She graduated in 2001 from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Elizabeth City State University, a proud
Historically Black University, has long prepared leaders committed to serving their communities.

Shaunte later earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration and Educational
Leadership and also holds a Principal’s License, reflecting her preparation to lead and inspire both teachers
and students. She achieved the prestigious honor of becoming National Board Certified, a distinction that
represents the highest standards of professional teaching in the United States. Throughout
her career, she has taught in five schools across North Carolina. Her excellence in the classroom
earned her the honor of being named Teacher of the Year twice.

Shaunte grew up on her parents’ family farm, where she learned the values of hard work,
perseverance, faith, and responsibility. Those early lessons shaped the compassionate and
dedicated educator she has become.

Teaching is not simply a profession for Shaunte; it is a calling. She pours her heart, time,
and energy into helping her students succeed. When they excel, she celebrates their
achievements with the pride of a mother watching her children thrive.

Shaunte lives in Edenton, North Carolina, with her amazing husband and best friend Brian
Chappell. Together, they are the proud parents of an outstanding son affectionately known as C.J.
She enjoys reading, singing, and taking cruises with her family. Shaunte shares a close bond
with her brother Andre and is a loving aunt to six nieces. She treasures the close bonds and
shared experiences she has with her many cousins and takes an active role in family holiday
celebrations.

Shaunte also enjoyed a very special relationship with her grandmother, Roxie Wynn Barnes,
whose love and wisdom helped shape the woman she is today.

Shaunte is the daughter of Elisha and Jackie Evans Barnes; granddaughter of Lewis Barnes
and Roxie Wynn Barnes; great‑granddaughter of Langston Barnes and Rhea Mae “Mama Rhea” Blow Barnes; and great‑great‑granddaughter of Charlie Blow and Ada Darden.

Those who know Shaunte describe her as talented, focused, compassionate, thoughtful,
insightful, and full of joy for life. She is a woman of strong faith who gives generously of her energy and
spirit to her students, her family, and her community.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the Barnes Blow Family proudly honors Shaunte
Barnes Chappell, an inspirational educator whose life reflects the mission of our family:

“Honoring Our Past and Embracing Our Future.”

Special Tribute Poem

A Teacher’s Light
On quiet mornings in a classroom bright,
She plants small seeds of hope and light.
With patient words and caring heart,
She guides each child toward their start.

Through lessons learned and dreams set free,
She helps them see what they can be.
A steady hand, a gentle guide,
With faith and wisdom at her side.

From farm‑grown roots to classroom halls,
She answers education’s noble calls.
For twenty‑five years her voice has been

A lantern lighting paths unseen.

Students rise because she believed,
New strength discovered, goals achieved.
For every life her kindness reaches,
The world grows brighter, because she teaches.