A lifelong learner, Shayla Canady served in a variety of educational roles before joining NIET as a senior specialist for Arkansas. Most recently, Shayla served at Fair Park Preparatory in Shreveport, Louisiana, starting as a TAP mentor teacher, then ascending to master teacher, and assistant principal of instruction.

Prior to these positions, she worked in Caddo Parish Public Schools as a Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) specialist; served as head women's basketball coach at Southern University at Shreveport; and taught in Caddo Parish Public schools as a TAP mentor teacher and girls’ basketball and track coach at Green Oaks High School. Shayla began her teaching career at Caddo Middle Career Technology School in Shreveport.

Shayla is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. She graduated from Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School in 2001 and continued her education at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia. Shayla was a member of Southern Arkansas' Lady Muleriders basketball team where she excelled both on and off the court. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in athletic training, she accepted a position as the Lady Muleriders graduate assistant coach as she pursued her Master of Science in kinesiology.

Shayla furthered her education at Louisiana Tech University, where she acquired a Master of Art in Teaching degree in 2010. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Education in rural and diverse educational leadership from SAU.