Allan Shedlin has devoted his life's work to improving the odds for children and families. He has three daughters, five grandchildren, and numerous "bonus" sons/daughters/grandchildren. As an educator, Allan alternated between classroom service, school leadership, parenting coaching, policy development, advising at the local, state, and national levels. After years as principal, founded and headed the National Elementary School Center. Has written about education/parenting for major news outlets/trade publications, appeared on radio/TV. From 2008-2025: first male honored as a "Living Treasure" by Mothering Magazine; founded REEL Fathers; advised Obama White House; founded the DADvocacy Consulting Group; launched the DADDY Wishes Fund and Daddy Appleseed Fund; co-created/co-facilitated Armor Down/Daddy Up! and Mommy Up! programs for veterans and their children; conducted daddying workshops with Native American pueblos, veterans’ groups, penitentiaries, Head Start centers, corporate boardrooms, elementary schools; founded and directed the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F); named to Who’s Who; awarded “Father of the Year” by Coalition for Fathers & Families. Allan earned elementary and high school diplomas from NYC’s Ethical Culture Schools, BA Colgate University, MA
Columbia University’s Teachers College, and ABD at Fordham University. He considers his D-A-D and GRAND D-A-D the most important “degrees” of all.