BY AMBER J. CRAFT
Special to the Times
After nearly four decades dedicated to shaping young minds, Lake Butler Elementary School’s kindergarten teacher, Lynda McDaniel, is closing one chapter and beginning another. This year, McDaniel is retiring after 36 years in education, 21 of those spent in the same kindergarten classroom.
From office to classroom
But McDaniel’s journey didn’t begin in the world of ABCs and glue sticks. In fact, she didn’t even begin her career in education.
“I actually have a degree in accounting from the University of Florida. I was an accountant for nine years,” she explained. “I kind of knew in my second year of college that I didn’t want to be an accountant, but I wanted to get it done, so I did.”
It wasn’t until she began working in a church nursery that she had a revelation: children, not balance sheets, were her calling. That moment of clarity sparked a career change that would touch the lives of countless families and fellow educators.
“I started taking some courses in education, and I ended up getting the job here,” McDaniel said.
She officially joined the LBES teaching staff in 2004. The transition from office life to classroom life wasn’t without its hurdles, but McDaniel speaks fondly of the support she received.
“My team members helped me a lot,” she said, recalling the month-long preparation and training that preceded her first year in the classroom.
Since then, McDaniel has not only become a foundational figure at LBES but has also earned accolades, including being named Teacher of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.
“I’m kind of the oldest person on my team, which is funny to me. I think I waited it out long enough that everyone else bolted, and I’m like, okay, I guess I’m it,” she said with a smile.
As a veteran educator, McDaniel has worn many hats — teacher, mentor, team leader — and she’s been a source of wisdom and support for newer teachers navigating the early years of their careers.
Look how far they’ve come
Not surprisingly, it’s the students who have kept her inspired day after day.
“Obviously, they’re cute and they say funny things,” she shared. “It’s never dull. There’s always something happening. It’s exciting to see those kids who come in knowing nothing and leave reading. It’s just amazing.”
While some educators explore different grade levels, McDaniel found her perfect fit with kindergarten. Teaching basic skills like reading, writing, and social interaction proved deeply fulfilling.
“What’s better than that?” she asked. “Teaching them the basic skills.”
When asked what she’ll miss most, she didn’t hesitate: “The kids.”
Each year has been special, but the school’s annual end-of-year celebration — known as “Jubilation” — always brings a mix of pride and reflection.
“I don’t know if I have just one [favorite memory]. I think every year I feel that way. Every year we have a Jubilation, which is kind of like our graduation. I feel like ‘look how far they’ve come.’”
To commemorate that growth, McDaniel creates a scrapbook each year, a tradition that helps her savor the magic of childhood milestones.
Partners with daughter
Though she’s saying goodbye to the classroom, McDaniel’s teaching days aren’t over. Her daughter, who worked at Lake Butler Elementary for four years, recently had a baby, and the two have since launched an educational business for homeschoolers — a venture that has quickly gained traction through online communities and word of mouth.
“I am the babysitter while she is teaching,” McDaniel joked, highlighting her new role as grandma and business partner.
Together, they offer an impressive range of classes, including art, STEM, Pre-K, and curriculum for kindergarten through third grade.
“There’s a large homeschool group out there. Parents are just looking for someone to supplement what they do at home,” McDaniel said, noting that she lives in High Springs, where the homeschooling community is particularly active.
The business, fueled by her daughter’s vision and McDaniel’s decades of experience, is an exciting new adventure that keeps her connected to the world of education without the structure of a traditional classroom.
She also continues to tutor, especially in Pre-K, and is exploring additional tutoring opportunities.
Outside of work and family, McDaniel enjoys reading and traveling. While she enjoys the beach, her heart leans more toward the mountains.
“I’m more of a mountain person, but I do like the beach,” she said.
Even as she moves on, McDaniel carries with her fond memories of the camaraderie she found at Lake Butler Elementary.
“The people on our teams are close. We help each other. We work things out together.”
What’s next for McDaniel? Grandbaby giggles, tutoring sessions, homeschool science experiments, and hopefully a few trips to the mountains — and, of course, the knowledge that her classroom may no longer have walls, but it still has heart.
