We are proud to introduce Shane Howell as the first Community School Director at Carter & MacRae Elementary, the district’s newest community school. Known to students and families simply as “Mr. Shane,” he brings 15 years of experience in before & after-school programming, behavioral health, and youth development to his new role.
Mr. Shane’s path to this role is shaped by years of experience in both behavioral health and youth development. He has served with Lancaster Rec, Ponessa Behavioral Health, and Phoenix Behavioral Health, where he combined his passion for after-school enrichment with hands-on behavioral support for students. Over the course of his career, he has led before & after-school programs, run summer camps, taught Church School and Vacation Bible School, and supported students in emotional support and general education classrooms. No matter the setting, his commitment to creating environments where children feel welcomed, safe, and encouraged to grow remains to be his why.
Raised in Manheim Township, Mr. Shane has always had a strong connection to Lancaster City. He has worked at summer programs, youth residential facilities, and local schools, often stepping in wherever he was needed, from helping with summer lunches to coaching kids through conflict resolution. “I don’t like to see children carry their frustrations from one day to the next,” he explained. “If I can help them talk it out, restore a friendship, or simply be heard, that’s a win. I want kids to leave school each day feeling better and ready for tomorrow.”
Mr. Shane is well known for his ability to connect with students through both structure and fun. Whether it’s greeting every child in the hallway, leading riddles and games between activities, or pulling out his boombox for a round of karaoke, he has a way of making every child feel seen and included. Even students who are shy find themselves drawn in by his energy, gaining confidence simply by being part of the moment. “I’ve always believed that play and relationships go hand in hand with learning,” he said. “Sometimes passing a football back and forth opens the door to conversations that matter most.”
At Carter & MacRae, Mr. Shane will work alongside Principal, Rachel Esh, School Dean, Mr. Corrigan, and Social Worker, Ms. Caitlin to support each student and family. His role as Community School Director will focus on building connections with families, coordinating community partnerships, and helping address barriers to student success. That may mean bringing local organizations into the building, expanding after-school opportunities, connecting families to food or housing resources, or creating new ways for parents to feel part of the school community.
For Mr. Shane, this role is not just a job, but an extension of what he has always done, which is serving children and families in meaningful ways. “I love seeing students smile, have new experiences and filled with pride. I want Carter & MacRae to be a place where kids want to come every day, and where families feel supported and connected.”
Principal Esh sees this as a natural step forward. “Our staff has always believed in meeting families where they are,” she said. “Becoming a Community School gives us more tools to do that. With Mr. Shane in this role, we’ll be able to deepen our connections and bring even more resources to support our students’ growth, inside and outside the classroom.”
With Lancaster Rec as the lead agency, Carter & MacRae becomes the seventh school in SDoL’s growing network of community schools. Each site looks different depending on the needs of the neighborhood, but the mission remains the same: to create schools that are not only places of learning but also places where families feel supported, connected, and equipped with resources.
As Mr. Shane steps into this new role, one thing is certain, Carter & MacRae will continue to be a place where students are celebrated, families are embraced, and learning extends far beyond the classroom.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Shane to the Carter & MacRae community. In partnership with the Lancaster Rec and our staff, we are building a stronger future for our students, one relationship at a time.