PROFILE

A dedicated educator who believes students learn best in a happy, adaptable, student-centered environment. I specialize in crafting history and civics curriculum tailored to diverse learning needs, promoting critical thinking and global citizenship through engaging, project-based learning. Leveraging experience teaching from fifth grade through college, including in international schools, I actively contribute to teacher development and collaborative school-wide efforts.  Committed to the idea that schools are the center of learning, community, society, and democracy.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

• Publication:  Portrait of a Citizen: Strategies and Tools for Teaching Action Civics in Grades 6-12 Routledge Publishing, (Anticipated 2026)

• Speaker:  National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Washington, DC.  Presentation:  Legacy Projects:  A Bridge to Sustainable Community Engagement through Civic Action (2025)

• Speaker:  Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents  Presentation:  “Deeper Learning and College and Career Readiness Through the High School Student Led Civics Project (2025)

• Publication:  The New England Journal of History, Vol. 81, No. 2 "Legacy Projects: A Bridge to Sustainable Community Engagement through Civic Action" (Spring 2025)

• Speaker:  Massachusetts Climate Change Challenge:  "Civics Projects in the Era of Climate Change" (2024)

• Co-Organizer:  Massachusetts Climate Change Challenge, Nipmuc High School (2024)

• Speaker:  National Council for Social Studies Conference in Nashville, TN.  Presentation: Creating Land Acknowledgements (2023)

• Award:  History Department of Distinction, Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies (2025)

• Award:  History Teacher of the Year, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Massachusetts (2024)

• Featured:  When Children Feel Pain:  From Everyday Aches to Chronic Conditions by Rachel Peachman and Anna C. Wilson (2022)

• Featured:  The Power of Moments:  Why Certain Experiences have Extraordinary Impact by Chip and Dan Heath (2017)

• Co-Creator:  "You Are Here:  Wendy's Welcome to the ED" Massachusetts General Hospital (2016)

• Award:  James Madison Memorial Fellowship, New Jersey (2003)

• Award:  Teach For America AmeriCorps Grant, for service in academically struggling districts (1999-2000)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Secondary Education (Grades 5-12)

Demonstrated success in designing and delivering engaging history and civics curriculum across diverse middle and high school settings, including vocational and specialized programs.

• Nipmuc Regional High School (MA, 2022–Present): Developed and taught engaging curriculum for grades 9-11 (World Experience, US History I & II, AP Government). Led statewide professional development on climate change education.

• Sage School (MA, 2019–2021): Designed and taught Civics and US History curriculum for gifted middle school students (grades 6-8). Pioneered online learning models and outdoor education programs.

• Randolph Technical Career Center (VT, 2005–2012): Designed and taught US History and Civics curriculum specifically tailored to vocational students, coordinating lessons with technical shops.

• Lake Riviera Middle School (NJ, 2000–2005): Designed and taught World History to eighth grade students and developed a US Civics course.

Higher Education (College/University)

Expertise in collegiate-level instruction, constitutional studies, and leading academic travel experiences.

• Adjunct Professor, Eastern Nazarene College and Dean College (MA, 2021-2025):  Taught World Civilizations and Western Civilzations courses.

• Adjunct Professor, Mount Ida College (MA, 2013–2018): Taught a wide range of collegiate courses including US History, World History, Native American History, Women’s History, and co-taught specialized courses on the Holocaust and Totalitarianism.

• Global Learning: Led academic study-abroad trips to historical sites in Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, and Budapest.

• Adjunct Professor, Vermont Community College (VT, 2008-2013):  Developed a series of courses on US History, The Constitution, The Civil War, World Civilizations, Native American History, and Introduction to College Studies.

Global & Specialized Instruction

Proven ability to adapt and excel in international and culturally diverse educational environments.

• CATS Academy Boston (MA, 2018–2019): Taught Contemporary Issues, US History, and Personal Finance to ESL international students in a boarding school environment.

• Britannica International School (Budapest, Hungary, 1998–1999): Taught English, History, and Geography to international students, preparing them for IGCSE exams.

• Zakladni Skola 5 (Czech Republic, 1998): Developed and implemented English as a Foreign Language curriculum for middle school students.

Get in touch at darcylynndaniels@gmail.com