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Nick Kreischer

7th-8th Grade Math Lab, Athletic Director

Mr. Kreischer went to college at BGSU and majored in Middle School Math and Science Education. He graduated in 2014.

DLA was his first teaching job and this is his 9th year here. He loves DLA for so many reasons but his favorite would have to be the students, staff, and focus of DLA. Education is important but making sure the learning is fun makes the whole journey enjoyable and more worthwhile for the students and the staff as well.

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Jocelyn Lynn

8th Grade ELA Teacher

Ms. Lynn has a Bachelors of Science from Wright State University College of Education and Human Services.

She has been working in the Education field for over 2 years and has volunteered with children for over 2 years before working with DLA.

Ms. Lynn is dedicated to making sure our students have a voice and feel that they are important. "I found my passion for working with students at Dayton Leadership Academy and I could not imagine working anywhere else".  

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James McDaniel

7th ELA Teacher

James E. McDaniel III was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and has always had a heart for teaching. James’ alma martyr is Stivers School for the Arts where he served as the school ambassador and Sergeant at Arms. James has successfully completed his Associate of Art in Teacher Education at Eastern Gateway. He is now studying Middle Childhood Education 4-9th grade, focusing on ELA and SS. He was a Life Coach for Males of Color in The Office of Cultural Engagement and Inclusion at Dayton Public Schools where he has served at Roosevelt Elementary School, Kiser Elementary School, Ruskin Elementary School, Edison Elementary School, and Horace Mann Elementary School. James’ ministry is teaching others, especially young adults. James is a force of power, with a heart of service to serve others.

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Daisha Williams

7th-8th Social Studies

Daisha Williams grew up in West Dayton, attending Thurgood Marshall STEM High School and furthering her education at the University of Dayton. This is where she received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a certificate in the Urban Teacher Academy, specializing in cultivating a culturally responsive classroom for a new generation of students. Ms. Williams pursued education because of the impact teachers left on her throughout her school career. She believes in advocating for all students and their unique needs, as they are the future of the country and need to be supported, challenged, and cared for as much as possible. 

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Debra Walls

6th Grade ELA Teacher
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Debra Walls was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. She graduated from Dunbar High School. She attended Wright State University where she received her Bachelors of English degree to teach Middle and High School English. She received a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Antioch University. After completing her education, she left Ohio to move south, She has lived and taught middle school English in Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis Tennessee.

She returned to Dayton six years ago where she began working at DLA as a 6th grade English teacher. In the time she has been at DLA, she has been a Teacher Leader in multiple ways. She was the English Department Chair for two years and spent one summer as the Summer Launch Coordinator. Ms. Walls has also been the DLA cheerleading coach for the past 5 years. After teaching 6th grade English for five years and being a Reading Interventionist for one year, Ms. Walls is excited to step into her new role as the Middle School Coordinator.

Ms. Walls has one child, a five year old daughter who keeps her very busy and young at heart. Ms. Walls has always been passionate about working with middle school inner city students. She finds great joy in helping grow students academically as well as socially. Ms. Walls strives to prepare students for not just high school, but the real world and help them realize that they are capable of anything they put their minds to.

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