Local high school teacher Kathryn Daniels brings history alive for her students not through rote memorization exercises but by bolstering their reading and writing skills. The former English teacher has demonstrated how enhanced communication skills can aid her Petal High School (PHS) students’ critical thinking, argumentative tools and ability to understand opposing viewpoints.
Because of her positive impact on students in her advanced placement (AP) European and U.S. history courses, Daniels was named a 2019-20 recipient of a Milken Educator Award. With the national recognition comes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.
Daniels was honored in a surprise ceremony by Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi Superintendent of Education, and Greg Gallagher, Milken Educator Awards Senior Program Director. Daniels is the only Milken Educator Award winner from Mississippi this year and is among 40 honorees for 2019-20.
The co-leader of the PHS history department, Daniels collaborates with the school’s English teachers to align reading and writing across the curriculum. She enlivens her classes with maps and political cartoons and invites community leaders as guests, including Petal’s mayor.
Daniels raises student expectations beyond the typical high school classroom. Under her leadership, AP history students have excelled on both AP and state exams. She also assists students beyond high school, tutoring them for college exams like the ACT. Through Distinguished Young Women, a national scholarship program, she’s helped to promote and reward scholarship, leadership and talent.
She’s also actively sought resources for struggling students, including essay contests, scholarships and even by providing rides to school. On a broader scale, Daniels has improved writing achievement in the state’s rural and underperforming schools by helping secure grants from the South Mississippi Writing Project.
Daniels conveys the same philosophy whether inspiring high performing or challenged students: that hard work and dedication are important qualities for lifelong success.
"Kathryn Daniels has been an innovator and inspiration to her students, showing how history isn’t just a study of past events but that it informs the world around us,” said Gallagher. “As part of her process, she’s accelerated her students’ communicative abilities in ways that will benefit them going forward.”
“We are incredibly proud of Kathryn Daniels and the example she sets for her colleagues across Mississippi,” said Superintendent Wright. “She sets high expectations for her students and provides them with the support and help to meet, and exceed, those expectations. I join her students, school and community in congratulating Mrs. Daniels for earning national recognition for her achievements as an educator.”
“Mrs. Daniels is very passionate about her craft as a teacher and professional learning community leader,” said Petal School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Dillon. “She builds positive relationships with her students and faculty alike. Mrs. Daniels is always prepared and willing to go the extra mile for her students and colleagues.”
A PHS graduate and former valedictorian, Daniels hails from a family of educators. She earned a bachelor’s in history in 2011 and a master’s in education in 2013 from Mississippi College. Daniels is a member of the Mississippi Teacher Council and has presented at state boot camps and guest lectured at the University of Southern Mississippi.
More information about Daniels, plus links to photos and a video from today’s assembly, can be found on the Milken Educator Awards website at https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/Kathryn-Daniels.