Shelby O’Reilly-Gronke grew up in North County, San Diego, where she enjoyed the sunny weather and ten-minute drive to the ocean on a weekly basis. She has always sought outdoor adventure and exploration from an early age. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Construction Management at California State University, Chico bought a one-way ticket to Peru, where she ended up staying for two years and learning the culture and language. After Peru, she spent two years in Colombia, where she had the opportunity to teach at one of the best private schools in the city. This is where her desire to teach stems from. Upon returning to San Diego, Shelby started working as an estimator and project engineer at a national subcontracting firm working on multimillion-dollar jobs. After five years in the industry, she returned to school and received her Single Subject in Science Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. She is continuing her education at the University of Colorado, working towards a master’s in educational psychology. Each new direction in life is an opportunity for her to grow and stretch as a woman and as an educator.