Danielle Cooper-Williams is excited to begin her second year at KPEA as a First Grade Lead Teacher and Specials teacher. A Philadelphia native, Danielle has been teaching, tutoring and working with students since she was 14. She began her formal teaching experiences while attending Howard University in Washington, DC. As a Human Development major, she embraces a belief in whole child development. She believes that children’s lives should be enriched with experiences that foster their social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth. During her graduate studies at Howard, she was able to conduct research on the experiences of students with ADHD. In previous years Danielle put all of her knowledge and experience to use as a second grade teacher in Southwest Philadelphia and the Founding Specials teacher at KPEA. She is classically trained in piano, an avid sports fan with a new love for Pilates and enjoys infusing art into her curriculum. Danielle became a teacher because she has a vested interest in the future of the children in her community. She will inspire and encourage her students to not just walk in her footsteps but take greater strides as they climb the mountain to college.