Dr. Donald E.. Sheppard is one of Leon County's outstanding art educators. As a member of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), he is abreast of current art education approaches and has a unique blend of a commercial art and art education background.

Dr. Sheppard's academic success includes graduating third in his high school class and receiving scholarships to attend the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) in Columbus, Ohio. There he was awarded the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in Industrial Design on May 11, 1984. Dr. Sheppard later received a Masters of Science Degree with a major in Art Education from Florida State University (FSU) on April 28, 1995. FSU conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Art Education upon him on December 13, 2013.

Professionally, he was employed for nine years at Homes and Land Publishing Corporation in Tallahassee where he served as Design Artist, Team Leader, Employee Assistants Committee Chairman, and Employee of the Month. After receiving his master's degree at FSU, he began teaching art at Griffin Middle School. He taught there for fifteen years and began teaching art at Montford Middle School in August 2010. As an educator, he has received the Sallie Mae District Finalist Award, the Minority Educator district finalist award, recognition from the Tallahassee Arts Council, and is featured in the book Real Lives: Art Teachers and the Culture of Schools by Dr. Tom Anderson.

Dr. Sheppard has also served as the pastor of Watson Temple Church of God in Christ since December of 1998. He is married to Sarah Rivers Sheppard and they have one adult daughter