January A+ Educator: Lee Anne Daniel

SYLVESTER, Ga. (WALB) - After holidays and snow days, school is back in session! Every month WALB recognizes a South Georgia teacher who goes well beyond their job description.

This month’s nominee comes from Worth County High School.

Lee Anne Daniel wasn’t always a teacher. She was a bank auditor and a private tutor before taking a long-term subbing position that turned permanent. She tells WALB that she did not choose to be a teacher, but teaching chose her.

“I do feel like I am doing is what I was meant to do. Maybe I didn’t take the straight path to it, but I do feel like I am doing what I was gifted to do,” said Daniel.

Teenagers and math aren’t always a favorable pair. Daniel believes that confidence is key when understanding math. She finds it useful to explain each lesson using the most basic, bare-boned terms and ideas.

“If you can get them over the initial intimidation and thinking, ‘I can’t do this, it’s too hard,’ then once they make that little step and they see success here, they will keep going. They will try a little harder and then a little harder. Then before you know it, you got yourself an A student sitting there,” said Daniel.

Daniel loves teaching the juniors and seniors. She tells WALB that she finds they respond well to her humor and she loves hearing about their post-graduation plans.

“I tell them, ‘if you do well in school and you get that education, you have so many opportunities.’ The just have no idea. They just don’t understand what an education can do for you. So, when they sit there and tell me, ‘I don’t need to know this,’ they just don’t understand what door this could open for them if they succeed,” continued Daniel.

If you know an exceptional teacher that you would like to see recognized as an A+ Educator, click here to submit your nomination.

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