Chris Daniels Named Missouri's 2011 National Distinguished Principal
“Let’s make it a great week for our kids!” Each of Chris’ Monday Memos ends with this charge. It’s this dedication to the students and families of Chouteau Elementary which Chris and his staff serve that drives this successful school.
Chris grew up in the small town of Carrollton, Missouri, where he learned his values and work ethic from two dedicated and driven parents. He has worked to weave his love of family into his school community in North Kansas City. His interest in educating children started during his senior year of high school while working for several first grade teachers. One teacher let him guide a reading group, and he was hooked! Little did Chris know that he was learning more from those students than they did from him! That experience served as a springboard, inspiring Chris to work on a degree from Park College in Parkville, Missouri. The small, yet diverse campus was a friendly place that bred confidence in working with students who were much different than those Chris had ever experienced.
After completing his student teaching and graduating in the fall of 1996, Chris met his future wife, Rochel. Her mother was Chris’ supervisory teacher and unofficially arranged this marriage! The couple now has two sons. Quinn, age 6, is one of Chris’ students at Chouteau Elementary. Creighton, age 4, is well on his way to catching up with his brother. Rochel, and both boys, provide the much needed perspective that it takes to become a successful administrator. In many conversations with teachers, Chris is quick to remind them that family comes first!
Chris was hired into the North Kansas City School District in December of 1996 as a fifth grade teacher. He began the next fall as a second grade teacher at Winnwood Elementary. During Chris’ tenure at Winnwood, he served in various capacities. He taught second grade, several fourth/fifth grade multi-age classrooms, and was trained as a Basic School Facilitator. Chris also completed a master’s degree from Central Missouri State University (’99) in Elementary Administration, officiated high school football, basketball, and volleyball, and was chosen as part of North Kansas City’s Leadership Academy.
Upon completion of Chris’ fifth year in the classroom, he was named the Assistant Principal of Gracemor Elementary School. This allowed Chris to learn from Dr. Cynthia Kupka and to refine the ideas he would eventually implement in his own elementary school. He credits Dr. Kupka for letting him get his hands dirty with many projects from which assistant principals are generally excluded. This preparation made his first year as a head principal easier than it might have otherwise been.
Beginning 2003 as the principal of Chouteau Elementary, Chris was full of excitement. His passion for providing sound instructional leadership, while facilitating the growth and development of others fueled him…right up until Kindergarten orientation when parents started asking questions! Luckily, his administrative assistant stepped in. First lesson learned: stay quiet and learn from the administrative assistant!
Since that day, Chris has learned much in serving families from the 20 different countries represented at Chouteau. His work with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports led to the completion of a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. Today, Chris also coordinates Health and Physical Education Instruction, Federal Programs administration, and serves on Collaborative Teacher Team Negotiations. He credits his family, faith and staff for the success which Chouteau has shown both academically and behaviorally.
In the new decade, Chris will continue working closely with principals from the Clay-Platte region as District Representative. Chris believes in sharing ideas and promoting the collegial knowledge of the group so that each school can prepare its students to be incredible.
