Leadership EDIT 2025

Education and Organization Consultant | Technical Assistance Provider

"Student attendance and engagement should matter to more than just the schools, students, and families! When our kids attend school regularly and are positively engaged our schools become better, our communities become safer, and our economy becomes stronger! I can help you facilitate that discussion with your community leaders and potential community partners." - Shelneka aka SAM

Shelneka Adams-Marsalone is the Founder and Lead Consultant of We Got Goals, LLC, where her primary focus is assisting schools and organizations in cultivating a Culture of Presence. Her areas of expertise include attendance improvement, addressing chronic absenteeism, reducing school and workplace avoidance behaviors, strengthening relationships, and enhancing family engagement. She developed RESET (Restoring Every Student, Every Teacher) to specifically address suspension as a factor contributing to chronic absence. She is committed to ensuring equitable access to education for all children and supports families in understanding their options when advocating for their students. Additionally, she provides professional development and technical assistance at both the national and international levels through her platform.

Previously, as a state education consultant, she oversaw the implementation of projects and facilitated gatherings focused on reducing chronic absence and increasing family engagement. She delivered in-person professional development sessions across system and state levels on topics such as "Kindergarten Is Not An Option, It's An Opportunity," "Family Engagement: A Strategic Approach," and "AED: Helping Schools Re-establish an Effective Rhythm Through Attendance, Engagement, and Discipline."

In her role as Director of Development, Communications, and Training at Attendance USA, she supports efforts to address chronic absenteeism nationwide. Her work involves connecting researchers, practitioners, organizations, and other stakeholders to promote improved school attendance and engagement. She trains staff at the state, district, and school levels, and disseminates current research, best practices, and relevant information to support professionals in the field.

Shelneka Adams-Marsalone is wife to Daniel; mother to Alister, Jean-Britt, and Jean-Claire; and bonus mom to Giancarlo and Sofia. She enjoys playing football, working out, traveling, and she is a vegan culinary genius!