The CHSSP has welcomed a new executive director. Dawniell Black assumed the statewide leadership role at UC Davis in early August. Dawniell is no stranger to history-social science leadership in California. Prior to her CHSSP appointment, Dawniell worked at the Elk Grove Unified School District for 20 years, first as a History-Social Science (HSS) teacher and then as a Program Specialist in HSS and Physical Education. In addition to her work in Elk Grove, she has served as a teacher leader consultant for CHSSP, most recently supporting programs focused on inquiry, equity, and Ethnic Studies. In 2023-24, she served as President of the California Council for the Social Studies and continues to serve on the Executive Board. Dawniell holds a BA in Public Administration and African American Studies from CSU Fresno, a teaching credential from CSU Sacramento, an Administrative Services Credential from the Sacramento COE Leadership Institute, and an MA in Teaching from National University.

In a recent conversation with Dawniell, she reflected on who and what has inspired her to accept this position. During her very first year in the classroom at Franklin High School in Elk Grove, she met Rene Mendoza, a veteran teacher who quickly became a mentor. At the time, Mendoza was teaching English Language Development and Advanced Placement HSS classes, and Dawniell was struck by the exceptionally high standards that he had for his students, and for himself. “Rene was a lifelong learner. He was busy every summer engaging in professional development, visiting places all over the nation and the world to grow as an individual and a teacher,” Dawniell explained. At his encouragement, she began to attend professional learning programs locally, then statewide, then nationally. This is how she first came to attend CHSSP workshops. Her early years participating in professional learning programs have informed how she shows up as a leader and how she seeks to encourage others to find community and leadership opportunities.

Shifting into the new statewide CHSSP role allows Dawniell to work more frequently and thoughtfully with the statewide network. She brings to the network an up-close view of what teachers and students in California are especially interested in right now. She explained that Ethnic Studies is on the minds of lots of teachers and students. Many teachers, for example, did not have the opportunity to take Ethnic Studies classes at the university level. They’re particularly interested in it now, not simply because of the upcoming graduation requirement, but also because it’s an important way for teachers to understand their students. She went on to describe, “Lots of students are interested in learning about themselves and their families, seeing their experiences reflected in the material that they learn. They also want a space to tell their own stories.” Dawniell sees these developments as opportunities for students to explore how identities shape the world in which we currently live and the one in which we aim to live. 

As a long-time Sacramentan, Dawniell is especially excited to be at UC Davis. Her most recent professional bridge between K-12 and higher education is once again an important reminder of the value of life-long learning and the role that the CHSSP and CSMP play in fostering it.