Danielle Petters

Cahn Fellow 2018

Principal, H. Grady Spruce High School

Dallas, Texas

Danielle Petters has dedicated her career to transforming urban schools from within. She has experience at all levels of the K-12 continuum, significantly increasing enrollment and bringing in programs tailored to the community at each school she has led. Danielle implemented 2-Way Dual Language at Caillet Elementary, led J. L. Long Middle School to be the first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme World School in Dallas ISD, and has ushered in the first Career and Technology Education Early College High School in North Texas at H. Grady Spruce High School. Danielle earned her Bachelor’s degree (English) from Southern Methodist University and her Master’s degree (Educational Administration) from the University of Texas. She has served as a campus administrator for 20 years and has been recognized as “Principal of the Year” by the Association for Hispanic School Administrators, the South East Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and most recently, by Dallas ISD.