Programs & Professional Development

Shannon Desilets

Shannon’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when passion aligns with purpose. As one of the first leaders in the Movement which would become Choose Love, Shannon found her calling helping individuals and communities heal, grow, and flourish through the power of Choosing Love.

Working out of both the Governor’s Office and NH Department of Health and Human Services, Shannon went on to spearhead New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation, statewide Choose Love initiative, embedding the Choose Love Formula (Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion-in-Action) across schools, corrections, juvenile diversion, law enforcement, first responders, municipalities, and community programs. Her unique background bridges trauma-informed practice, state-level leadership, and grassroots relationship-building. Through providing post-trauma therapy to the Newtown/Sandy Hook community for 12 years, along with her dedication for Choose Love, Shannon brings extensive experience and unwavering commitment to post-traumatic growth (PTG), safety and connection.

Shannon is a published author for STRIVE magazine, sharing what NH has accomplished through the Choose Love Movement. In addition, she has served as the Choose Love liaison for governmental departments nationwide. Her heart shines when bringing the Choose Love Movement forward, and she is fueled to bring this to all.

In this new chapter, and with Shannon’s leadership, the Choose Love Movement will expand its reach and deepen its impact, continuing to build safer schools and communities while fostering resilience, and a culture where love is the default choice!

Aleshia Fleming

Aleshia Fleming has dedicated herself to educating students in Texas for 24 years. She is currently a school counselor at Hillsboro Intermediate School in Hillsboro, Texas.

Aleshia became a Choose Love Ambassador for the state of Texas in 2020 and has spread the message of Choosing Love with many educators and families. She has had the opportunity to lead the movement in her own district since 2018. Aleshia has presented throughout the state of Texas to educators and administrators sharing the impact Choose Love can make in schools, communities, and homes. She is also a facilitator for the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation and hopes to help spread Jesse’s message of Nurturing, Healing, Love.

Shae Owens

Shae Owens has a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in School Counseling.  She has been an educator for almost 30 years serving Texas schools as an elementary school teacher and counselor. She is currently the school counselor at Hillsboro Elementary School in Hillsboro, Texas.  Hillsboro ISD has been implementing Choose Love for Schools since 2018, and since that time Shae has experienced the many positive ways that Choose Love has transformed campus culture for both students and staff.

Shae was recruited by Jesse as a Choose Love Ambassador for the state of Texas in 2020, and has had the opportunity to connect with educators throughout the state by presenting at conferences and workshops at the district, region, and state levels to introduce them to the Choose Love Movement. She is passionate about sharing the Choose Love message and believes Choose Love should be part of ALL campuses and communities.  Shae is excited to be part of the team of Choose Love workshop facilitators and looks forward to helping Choose Love GROW throughout not only Texas, but across the nation, by assisting other educators with implementing Choose Love for Schools at the campus and district levels.

Rick Rood

Rick Rood has been on the front lines of Education for nearly 30 years, working directly with children and front-line staff.  With degrees in Education, Afterschool Care, and Applied Mathematics, Rick is a student of the thought leader movement, distilling lessons from master teachers like Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, and Brendon Burchard – giving them practical application to education professionals.  Participants have described his workshops as “fascinating” and “life-changing.”

Rick is a classroom teacher, and in the past he has run afterschool programs, taught music, computer programming, and youth leadership workshops.  Rick is a contributor to “Youth Today!” and is the author of “Games Teachers Play Before the Bell Rings”.  Rick is a Certified High Performance Coach^TM and works privately and in groups with education professionals to help them achieve higher levels of performance in their work and personal lives.

Rick is the driving force behind Transforming Teachers, Transforming Education, an organization rooted in the Positive Youth Development philosophy dedicated to training and inspiring youth-serving professionals.  Through Transforming Teachers, Rick has delivered workshops and keynotes to thousands of education professionals, helping teachers transform their “inner game” of teaching to better serve youth, children, and families.

Rick and his team created the Beyond School Time Conference for Out-of-School-Time Professionals in 2018 as a way for California’s OST Professionals to connect, learn, and gather inspiration.