Dr. Shannon Behan has worked in public, private, and international education in British Columbia for the past twenty-five years. She earned her undergraduate degree and teaching certificate from the University of Victoria, her Master’s degree from the University of Calgary, and her Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas.

Born into a large Irish Catholic family, Dr. Behan was raised with a deep appreciation for lifelong learning, the value of hard work, and the importance of building community. As a teenager, she spent a transformative year in Northern Lapland, in the city of Rovaniemi, Finland, where she learned to speak Finnish, attended high school, and formed lifelong friendships.

After completing her studies at the University of Victoria, Dr. Behan began her teaching career in Taiwan. Upon returning to British Columbia, she dedicated the next twenty-five years to serving as a teacher, counsellor, and administrator across elementary, middle, and high schools. Her leadership roles include serving as Principal at a British Columbia Offshore School in Beijing, China, and as District Principal in School District #47. During her time in China, she was instrumental in expanding international program offerings in School District #47, including the establishment of a satellite campus in Vancouver’s historic Gastown neighborhood.

Dr. Behan currently serves as President of the British Columbia Principals’ & Vice Principals’ Association.