Courtney McDaniel is currently an elementary school educator in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She spent the past four years in early childhood education, including working as a lead teacher for the NC PreK program. She has a deep passion for early education and making sure young students are empowered to use their voices, taught the importance of empathy, and supported in exploring their interests. Courtney also enjoys using her art background to integrate art into student learning. She has a BFA in painting, an MA in Art Education, and is currently in the second year of an EdD program in Curriculum & Instruction, with specializations in Art Education and Early Childhood. Courtney is from Morganton, NC, but has lived in Asheville, NC since 2012. Her goal as an educator is to lovingly meet students where they are and help them use their voices through learning.