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McDaniel next Bradley schools chief

By: Randall Higgins
(Contact)

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Johnny McDaniel

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Johnny McDaniel is simultaneously wrapping up his first year as principal at Bradley Central High School and preparing to become Bradley County Schools director on July 1.

After growing up on a Florida ranch, Mr. McDaniel came to Cleveland to attend Tomlinson College and Lee University. He met his future wife here, started his family and worked at Tomlinson before returning to Florida as an educator.

He and his family returned here last year when he was appointed principal. He recently was selected from among five candidates to replace Director Bob Taylor, who is retiring.

Q. You come from a ranching background.

A. I grew up in the same area my mother grew up. My great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and then I went to the same elementary school. A lot of people here have that same tie to Bradley Central and schools here. So I understand that rich heritage and what it means to have schools with strong family connections, and old buildings that you have to replace because they wear out over time. I understand those things, firsthand.

My dad was a local boy, too. He was student council president, that kind of thing, in high school. He was going to the Air Force Academy. He didn’t pass the physical. They said he had a heart murmur. He got a job two weeks out of high school with the phone company and worked there 48 years. My granddad was a phone man, too, as they say.

I learned a lot from my dad and his dad. They were faithful, loyal, great providers. I learned a lot about life from them.

Mom and Dad trained horses. They were rodeo people on the weekend. That was kind of their hobby.

Q. Your connections to Bradley County started in school.

A. In high school I felt a calling in my life and got very involved in church. Some of my mentors in church encouraged me to think about going to college, actually coming to Cleveland. Tomlinson College choir came and sang at our church. When I met those kids, I knew what I wanted to do.

When I got here, I fell in love with being here. And I met my wife in college. Her father is a retired minister. They were originally from Texas but when they retired, they retired in Cleveland. Her sister lives here.

Q. Seeking to become director of schools — that’s got to be the ultimate job interview.

A. It’s a very unique situation to interview for a position publicly. It makes you appreciate those hearings we are bombarded with on TV. You just have to focus on doing your best to answer questions accurately and share who you are as an educator. After you get going, it’s an interesting process, and I would say, enjoyable.