Daniel SpikesIowa State University
Assistant Professor of Educational Administration Topic: Educational Inequities Assistant Professor of Educational Administration
Iowa State University School of Education Working closely with both Iowa State students and the Des Moines metro school district, Dr. Daniel Spikes exemplifies a person devoted to his school and to his community. With an emphasis and interest in educational administration and leadership, Spikes current research and projects center on bringing awareness to the disparities surrounding race in the school system in order to promote best practices to “ameliorate these disparities,” Spikes said. With anti-racist and social justice leadership, along with cultural proficiency and racial awareness training as an area of expertise, these skills combine have resulted in several research conference presentations, training opportunities and speaking engagements throughout the region, and published work, along with grant and funding opportunities for his many projects. Additionally, Spikes has been recognized as one of four faculty/staff members highlighted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs for a Black History Month Spotlight. Spikes also teaches courses in the Pre-LEAD program that focus on social justice concepts. The Pre-LEAD program is the master’s program with an emphasis in Educational Administration in the School of Education at Iowa State. Spikes believes that this teaching opportunity is one of the key factors in helping him reach his goals. It has allowed him to establish, grow, and maintain relationships with individuals in addition to schools and school districts in Iowa. These relationships have become vital for Spikes to continue growing his research. Described by his peers as collegial and friendly, it is clear to the outside how much Spikes loves his work with the students and educators in the K-12 schools and with the students at Iowa State. He hopes to continue working closely with the students at Iowa State and the surrounding K-12 school district students and educators by becoming a tenured professor, along with taking on some level of administrative role, either within a specific department or university as a whole. |
Daniel speaking to Developments and Trends class on July 25, 2017.