Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Gloria McDaniel-Hall
At National Louis University (NLU), our faculty are central to our mission to build an inclusive and innovative community that delivers a world-class education to empower all learners. Our faculty’s passion and dedication drives the success of our academic programs, as well as NLU’s continued innovation and improvement. Oftentimes, our award-winning faculty bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom to elevate the learning experience for all NLU students, and that is certainly true of Dr. Gloria McDaniel-Hall.
Dr. McDaniel-Hall is an exemplar of our incredible faculty at National Louis University. As an assistant professor in the Educational Leadership Program (EDL) within the National College of Education, Dr. McDaniel-Hall teaches all EDL masters level courses and EDL 605 in the doctoral program. In addition to teaching, she is also a University senator-at-large and a member of the Academic Policy Committee.
As an educator, Dr. McDaniel-Hall understands the importance of being a life-long learner. She earned many degrees on her path to becoming a professor: She earned her BA in Educational Leadership and MBA from the University of Illinois, Chicago, where she also earned an MA in Educational Leadership, and she completed her Ed.D in Educational Leadership at Concordia University Chicago.
Dr. McDaniel-Hall brings extensive real-world experience as an elementary school teacher and administrator, most of which has been in urban schools and districts, to her EDL courses. She began her career teaching in Chicago Public Schools before moving to Chicago charter schools in 1997. She worked within the Chicago International Charter School system as a teacher, math department chair, school principal and Director of Academic Programs. Throughout her career, Dr. McDaniel-Hall has taught students in virtually all elementary grades and subjects, along with high school and college-level courses.
Her career in education has allowed her to experience many facets of leadership throughout the years leading up to her position at National Louis University, where she can now inspire and impact future generations of educators:
“I love that, although I am no longer a school principal or assistant superintendent, I can still have an impact on what happens in schools because I am working with some of the brightest and most equity-centered students I have ever met. I KNOW that the work I do, such as conducting research, using student voice for their assignments, creating REAL application assignments with students, etc., will create positive outcomes for thousands of students and their families and communities. I am impacting the future through my work. I also really love my team here at NLU. Everyone shares. It's like my extended family.”
Dr. McDaniel-Hall’s career expands beyond teaching students, though. Her position at NLU has opened up other opportunities for her to contribute to the field in new ways:
“Through the connections I have made at NLU, I have been able to really find my voice! I have worked for racial justice and equity as a member of the Racial Justice Task Force. I have also had the opportunity to write chapters for a new textbook which is centered on using improvement science research practices as a methodology for increasing equity (Improvement Science as a Tool for School Enhancement: Solutions for Better Educational Outcomes*). Additionally, I have presented at numerous conferences with my colleagues in order to share our work. I am a member of a number of action research teams - including the SOTL (Scholars of Teaching and Learning Group), as well as a Literacy Research Group. I have developed content for a doctoral course and I sit on numerous dissertation committees. I am also now mentoring a doctoral student!”
Her latest experiences have allowed her to share her voice in even more exciting ways:
“I am currently creating a series of social-emotional learning books for children which uses stories to empower children to become all that they can be. The first book is entitled Gloria Finds Her Voice, and chronicles my experiences integrating a school in the South. The second book (in progress) is entitled Payton Finds a Friend, and it tells the story of a young child having to navigate a new space and how difficult that can be. In addition, I developed a website (https://urbanlegendspd.com/) which has resources and podcast interviews devoted to changing the narrative around the successes happening in urban schools.”
Dr. McDaniel-Hall encourages everyone that is considering a career in education to go for it! Being an educator means inspiring and helping students every single day. The impact that educators have on students, and society as a whole, she says, is significant:
“What we have in our city and in education in general is an opportunity gap (I choose not to call it an achievement gap). The ONLY way to address the deficits that exist for some of our students, families, and communities is for there to be committed adults who work to address the systemic inequities that exist for some of our students. Our profession needs people who are committed and serious about being the change agents needed within our educational system. If you are reading this - that means you! - We need people committed to social justice and REAL change."
As an assistant professor in the department, Dr. McDaniel-Hall shares why the National College of Education at National Louis University is the best place to earn your degree and start your career in education:
“NLU is a great place because it has great people. We have professors who learn from each other and who have worked in the field. We also build on-the-ground learning into our programs (student teaching, internships, etc.), which centers your learning in real-life experiences. You will definitely find that your success is our goal.”
Learn more about all the degree, endorsement, certificate and approval programs through the National College of Education. You can also contact an Enrollment Specialist online or by calling (888) 658-8632 to talk more about your career and educational goals.
*Carlile, Susan P. Improvement Science as a Tool for School Enhancement: Solutions for Better Educational Outcomes. PR Myers Education PR, 2022.
