If one path doesn’t work, regroup and go in a different direction. That’s the approach that led Dana Daugharthy back to Iola to teach physics, physical education and science at Iola High School.
Daugharthy graduated from Iola High in 2006 and earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Bethel College in North Newton.
His intent was to become a chemist. He worked on a reaction project for one semester, but it didn’t work out, Daugharthy said.
“That was when I switched over to education,” Daugharthy said. He completed a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Kansas.
“I stayed in contact with people at the high school. They needed a position filled so I took the job and moved back to Iola,” Daugharthy said.
This is Daugharthy’s first year teaching — what better place than the school he attended.
“There are still teachers that are on staff when I was a student,” Daugharthy said.
In addition to teaching Daugharthy also is an assistant football coach.
“I played football in high school and at Bethel,” Daugharthy said. “I had never coached before, so I thought I would try it. Thus far I am loving it.”
In the classroom Daugharthy takes the hands-off approach; safe to say, he’s not a lecturer.
“Kids will get frustrated but forcing them to think critically will help them problem-solve outside of the chemistry class,” Daugharthy said. “I know most of the kids won’t be chemists or physicists, but they need to know how to think critically.”
DAUGHARTHY has fallen right back into living in his hometown, and his family couldn’t be more excited about his return.
“I like this area and it has always been my mom’s dream for me to be here,” Daugharthy said. “I have tons of family down here. That is one of the major reasons why I decided to move back, to see my nieces and nephews grow up.”
Having grown up here he did anticipate small-town lifestyle. What he didn’t expect was the schedule of a teacher and coach.
“I get up at 4:30 every morning. It makes for long days, that’s what I didn’t expect,” he said.
Daugharthy also takes pride in not being so “one dimensional,” he said.
