MVUSD Administrator Gets Special Surprise, Honor

MURRIETA, CA — A familiar face in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District got a special surprise Monday when he was named the 2020 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year.

Family from out of state, colleagues, board members, along with current and former
district superintendents in the MVUSD joined Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Judy D. White, to deliver the news to Darren K. Daniel, who serves as MVUSD's assistant superintendent of human resources.

“You consistently implement and construct a vision that allows the district to center on what matters most: the kids and the community you serve,” White told Daniel during Monday's surprise visit. “Your type of servant leadership is necessary in the entire field of education and you have made a significant difference in Murrieta."

Daniel has a long history with the MVUSD. He first entered public education as a walk-on coach and substitute teacher 25 years ago. Since that time, he has served as a full-time teacher, assistant principal, principal, and executive director of secondary education, and now assistant superintendent — all within the MVUSD.

Daniel is described by colleagues as exhibiting “a spirit of optimism and belief that all students and staff can achieve and perform at high levels no matter the circumstances,” according to the Riverside County Office of Education.

“I’m humbled by this award. It isn’t something that happens to most people during their career,” Daniel said immediately following the surprise. “If someone is going to get to wear this crown in Riverside County, I want it to be someone from this district!”

Monday's surprise visit was the sixth of seven announcements at work locations of the 2020 Riverside County Educators of the Year. Daniel was the first from Southwest Riverside County to be named to the list.

The final surprise — Riverside County Principal of the Year — will take place before the end of February.

The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 36,000 educational employees in the county. The application process starts with nominations by teachers, classified employees, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where an outside selection committee selects the honorees before the county superintendent announces the honorees, according to the RCOE.

Along with the 2020 Riverside County Teachers of the Year, the Educators of the Year will be
honored May 5 at the Riverside County Celebrating Educators Luncheon at the Riverside Convention Center.