Take Five with Danielle Cain: Teacher at William H. Brown STEM Magnet School

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Our teachers have a profound impact on our school communities, and a perfect example is Mrs. Danielle Cain, a sixth grade math and ELA teacher at William H. Brown STEM Magnet School.

Mrs. Cain didn’t always plan on going into education. In fact, she originally wanted to be a lawyer! While she was going to law school, she started substitute teaching and quickly discovered a love and talent for being in the classroom. What drove her toward law was the same thing that eventually drove her toward teaching—the opportunity to make a difference in her community.

As an educator, Mrs. Cain approaches her students with compassion and empathy, pairing her high expectations with a focus on making class fun. She strives to make her lessons interactive and engaging, and she loves being able to help students make connections between her instruction and their own lives.

What do you love most about your work?

The brightness and the hopefulness in my students’ faces every day. It means so much to know that I'm helping to guide so many young people into a trajectory where they can be successful. Their futures hold so many possibilities, and it’s an honor to support them.

How would your students describe you?

I’ve heard from students that they can tell that I like my job! I’ve also heard that I brighten students’ days, and that I challenge them and believe in them.

What is the biggest lesson you hope your students learn in your class?

Hard work and consistency will absolutely pay off. Sticking with it and working harder than you think you need to will create opportunities that you may not even know exist!

What are your biggest goals for the last month of this school year?

Of course, I want to see positive data growth and observe how my students have progressed through the year. But overall, I just want us to keep a hard foot on the gas, help my students continue learning, and have a super strong finish. 

What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?

I love doing DIY home renovation and carpentry projects! I once completely gutted my bathroom and renovated it top to bottom—that felt really special. For my next project, I would love to put up a gazebo this summer!