Bryan Daniels, Principal of The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School was named a finalist in the Washington Post Principal of the Year Award. Bryan’s nomination was submitted to the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB), an independent government agency of the District of Columbia, which provides oversight to 134 public charter schools, who selected Bryan as their finalist. According to the submission, Principal Bryan Daniels is a dynamic leader who has earned the respect of both staff and students throughout his 21-year tenure by creating a nurturing and productive learning environment. He is a firm believer in fostering a culture of excellence and creativity and is constantly looking for new ways to engage and inspire his students.
Each year, The Washington Post recognizes Washington metropolitan area educators who exemplify excellence in their profession. The Principal of the Year Award aims to recognize principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment for their staff and students.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Bryan over the years, and I can attest to his exceptional leadership skills and dedication to the students and staff of our school. We congratulate Bryan on being named a finalist by the prestigious Washington Post. It is nice for others to recognize what we who work with him already know.
~ Jenny Livelli, President and CEO, The Children’s Guild
“Congratulations to The Children’s Guild for naming Bryan Daniels, a great candidate for the Washington Post Principal of the Year award! We were so excited and #DCCharterProud to submit Bryan Daniel’s information to The Post and thrilled that he was named a finalist,” said a spokesperson for DC PCSB.
One of the key ways in which Principal Daniels inspires excellence is through his focus on student achievement. He sets high expectations for his students and encourages them to strive for their best. He also provides them with the resources and multiple supports they need to reach their full potential through individualized classroom support, curriculum programming, and dynamic wrap-around services. Every Wednesday, the entire school participates in professional development. This year’s instructional focus was on small group instruction and teacher intellectual prep. Through his leadership, the school has seen a significant increase in academic performance and a decrease in disciplinary issues. During the recent school year, 10% of students scored a 4 on the PARCC exams and over 70% of students met their iReady growth goals.
“When you walk through the doors of The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, it feels like family. Bryan kicks off the day at his morning staff meeting with music pumping to lift your spirits, a welcoming smile, and a message that reminds each of us why we chose to serve children and families. Bryan then moves out of the way to allow his staff to deliver their message and “shout outs” adding to the positive start to the day. On hard days, Bryan comes in with his head held high making sure that his staff know that they come first. He keeps it real; he doesn’t shy away from hard moments in the lives of those in the building but rather wraps his staff with support necessary to be prepared for the students that will shortly arrive,” said Jenny Livelli, President and CEO, The Children’s Guild. “I have had the privilege of working closely with Bryan over the years, and I can attest to his exceptional leadership skills and dedication to the students and staff of our school. We congratulate Bryan on being named a finalist by the prestigious Washington Post. It is nice for others to recognize what we who work with him already know.”
“When Bryan learned that The Children’s Guild had decided to open a charter school specializing in serving special education and regular education in the DC community, he was ecstatic and accepted a leadership position. Bryan grew up in DC and attended school in DC, so he had always hoped his career would provide him with the opportunity to give back to the community that had raised him so well. Bryan’s deep commitment to connecting with the local DC community is remarkable. He is passionate about ensuring that equitable access to education is available to all students and has prioritized building solid partnerships with community organizations and local leaders. His persistent determination to positively impact the student’s lives in the District is truly inspiring,” said Elizabeth Garcia, MSSA, MNO, LCSW-C, Chief People Officer, The Children’s Guild.
