Dr. Shawn Harrel is a multi-talented educator with a wide range of experiences in secondary and post-secondary education, audio/video production, instrumental music, composition and arranging and broadcast radio. Shawn is proficient in instructional design and performance technology, creating innovative learning experiences. He teaches Digital Media Technology at Summit Technology Academy and arranging at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Lindenwood University. 
Shawn’s creative versatility has been relevant to numerous organizations over the years. He is a part-time announcer at KCUR 89.3 FM, NPR in Kansas City. Before joining KCUR in 2006, he worked at KERA 90.1 in Dallas, TX, and KNTU 88.1 in Denton. Shawn is an audio/video production specialist for the Lee’s Summit R-7 school district. In 2018, he was one of 12 teachers named Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching award winners and was one of three teachers awarded the Teacher of Distinction award in 2023.
Shawn is an adjunct professor for the undergraduate and graduate music programs at Lindenwood University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Shawn was a graduate teaching fellow in jazz studies at the University of North Texas (UNT), which included roles such as directing The Zebras (jazz keyboard ensemble) and teaching jazz theory, jazz ear training, and other classes.
Shawn is an editor, sound designer, composer, and occasional actor in many award-winning films created as part of 48 Hour Film Projects in Chicago and St. Louis. He scored music for a “The Sweatshirt,” which garnered awards in festivals around the country, and he composed and produced the theme music for “Great Mistakes,” an adaptation of an original 30-minute comedy TV pilot.
As part of his creative endeavors, he worked as a Brick Specialist at The LEGO® Store and has been active in the Kansas City Brick Lab LEGO® User Group. He is highly creative and continually strives to use the most creative strategies, no matter the given task.
Shawn completed an Ed. D. in Instructional Design and Performance Technology at Baker University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Missouri State University and a master’s in jazz studies (arranging and composition) from the University of North Texas. He is an Apple Certified Pro in Final Cut Pro 7 (Level One) and Final Cut Pro X (Level One). In addition, Shawn has studied writing and songwriting at the famed Second City Training Center in Chicago. Although Shawn is a busy creative who wears many hats, he still spends quality time reading, journaling, writing music, sharpening pencils, spinning vinyl records, and being with his family.