Meet Danni Hernandez, a 6th-grade math and science teacher at George Washington Carver Middle School.
Danni Hernandez is making an impact in her first year at George Washington Carver Middle School after transitioning from teaching 5th-grade math at Dolores Huerta Elementary. With three years of teaching experience, Danni brings a unique blend of energy, passion, and a philosophy rooted in student independence and rigorous learning to her classroom.
Danni’s education journey began at City Year, followed by Teach for America. Danni spent her first two years teaching at Dolores Huerta Elementary, where she developed a strong foundation in teaching math through the school’s departmentalization efforts–which is when an elementary instructor teaches one subject matter similar to high school instructors. Initially, her heart was set on teaching elementary students, but she embraced the opportunity to move to middle school, seeing it as a natural extension of her previous work. She noted that many skills and strategies she developed in elementary seamlessly carried over to her new role with 6th-grade students.
Danni’s teaching philosophy centers on student independence and cognitive engagement. “Anyone can do anything,” she tells her students, encouraging them to push themselves and take ownership of their learning. Joining a middle school has also presented challenges for Danni because many of her students come from different elementary schools and are performing at different levels. Danni maintains high expectations and believes in their ability to rise to the challenge. She avoids making excuses for gaps in knowledge, instead focusing on bridging them through consistent academic rigor and cognitive support.
She also connects learning to real-world experiences by integrating the community and students’ cultural backgrounds in lessons. Danni aims to incorporate more of these elements into her classroom and encourages her students to share their personal stories and explore how their identities intersect with the subjects they are studying.
Despite the challenges she faces—working with a more diverse group of students and addressing significant learning gaps—Danni remains committed to fostering a classroom environment where students feel capable, supported, and motivated. Danni ascribes her teaching strengths to her own efforts, as well as the coaching she received from Partnership’s Director of Instructional Coaching Michael Ramirez. She is optimistic about her continued growth and excited to integrate more culturally relevant lessons into her teaching.