Dr. Danielle Bradley of Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs. {BCPS}
By Faran Fagen
From a childhood passion to a lifelong calling, Dr. Danielle Bradley has always been destined to be a teacher.
As a young girl, she would gather her stuffed animals and dolls around her mini-chalkboard, imparting life skills to her makeshift students. Now, over four decades later, she is a beloved teacher at Coral Glades High School and one of the five finalists for this year’s Broward County Teacher of the Year.
Bradley was stunned when she first heard the news. “It was a massive honor to be voted Teacher of the Year for Coral Glades,” she said. “I never thought it would lead to being a finalist for Broward Teacher of the Year.” But her excitement soon turned to nerves when she learned the Superintendent would be making surprise visits to the finalists’ classrooms.
Receiving recognition for her hard work and dedication has been a tremendous source of pride for Bradley. “Teachers often work in isolation, with only our students witnessing our daily efforts,” she explained. “This award is a fantastic opportunity to be celebrated and praised for our commitment to education.”
To become Broward Teacher of the Year, a nominee must submit an application that includes mini-essays, letters of recommendation, a 30-minute instructional video, and a face-to-face interview with a panel of committee members. The award ultimately went to Haley Shurack, a preschool teacher for deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Tropical Elementary School.
Dr. Bradley teaches her class at Coral Glades High School. {courtesy}
Bradley’s achievements have continued to inspire her colleagues and students. A proud “honorary, original Jag,” she has spent 18 of her 22-year teaching career at Coral Glades.
Born and raised in Miami, Bradley has taught various subjects, including 9th-grade English and AICE English General Paper.
She has not only touched the lives of more than 2,500 students during her career, but she has also worked as an adjunct professor at Florida Memorial University and a sports reporter for the High Springs Herald while she was a graduate student at the University of Florida.
Despite her love for teaching, Bradley has another passion that may surprise some: football. A die-hard Miami Hurricanes fan, she has been enamored with the sport since she was five.
“I fell in love with football while watching games with my dad,” she shared. Bradley’s future dreams involve working for a college or professional football team in an academic or operational role.
For now, however, she remains dedicated to her students at Coral Glades, challenging them to rise above their own expectations and conquer rigorous tasks.
As she teaches her largest group ever – over 180 students – she eagerly anticipates the success stories that will unfold by the end of the school year.
“The biggest learning moments are when my students master new skills and their confidence soars,” she said. “I always tell them that the school year is a work in process, not a work in progress.”
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Author Profile
- Faran Fagen, who teaches high school journalism, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Journalism degree and from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Education. He's worked at The Palm Beach Post, SunSentinel, and MLB.com. He lives in Coral Springs with his wife and two children. Oh, and his three dogs -- who all think that they're his favorite.
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