Brian McDaniel

Dr. Brian McDaniel, a 2018 California Teacher of the Year and 2019 Global Teacher Prize Top 50 Finalist, is a music educator who has raised over $1 Million through grants, donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers to ensure access for every child in his program. As an educator since 2006, he has successfully built award winning Elementary, Middle and High Schools music programs, serves in Leadership with various school and teacher organizations, and is an Educational Justice Advocate who is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles through academic opportunities. Choosing to serve in a Title I school, he founded The Regiment, his student-led music organization that serves as a safety net for students; helping kids to overcome the trials of school and life. The Regiment continuously improves school climate and academic performance by living up to their motto of rising “Beyond All Expectations”.

Brian is a speaker, writer, advocate, dream builder, and music educator who is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles through academic opportunities. importance of building relationships is the foundation for supporting student success in school and beyond. These relationships will help transform the ordinary to the extraordinary. He share several case studies of how former students who once struggled became shining stars with his care and high expectations for all in his band class. He teaches from the foundational belief that “all students need to feel the joy of success every day, as it only takes ONE great experience to change the trajectory in a child’s life”. Dr. McDaniel is the Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Rancho Mirage High School in the Palm Springs Unified School District and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences at Brandman University.