Daniel Church is passing along his family traditions of work ethic, perseverance and scholarship to hundreds of Culler Middle School students every day.
Church is helping the Cougars become the best versions of themselves in his role as school principal. He is being recognized for his work during National Principals Month, which takes place across the United States each October.
Church’s leadership qualities stem from a family teaching tree that has strong roots across Lincoln. Many of those important lessons came from his grandmother, whose resume included a job as a paraeducator at Clinton Elementary School. The Southeast High School graduate said he wants to give Culler students the same type of inspiration that she continues to provide to him.
“She always taught us that education is your ticket into a future of opportunity and anything you want to do,” Church said. “Both her and my grandpa always encouraged me that you may not get an A, but you should be striving for an A in anything you do. You don’t have to be the best, but you should be trying to be the best.”
Church joined Culler as an English teacher in 2022 and was named associate principal the following year. He began serving as principal in the 2024-25 school year and quickly earned respect from those in the Culler community.
Lincoln Public Schools Director of Secondary Education Jessie Fries said those positive messages are making a difference in Culler’s hallways. She said it has been impressive watching Church build strong relationships across campus over the past several years.
“When you look at Daniel’s leadership, his commitment to supporting staff and students is impossible to miss,” Fries said. “He is a constant, encouraging presence in classrooms, and he has built strong, clear systems to support students and teachers.”
Church grew up in Lincoln and earned a Bachelor of Science in education and human sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He completed his student teaching experience in Colorado, and he began his career as an elementary education teacher in the Denver area. He held roles as a teacher, dean of culture, dean of culture and instruction, assistant principal and principal at several schools before returning to Nebraska.
Church said his time in Colorado prepared him well for his current LPS position. He helped open school buildings in several locations, which gave him a chance to work closely with many parents, families and neighbors. He has applied those communication skills in his day-to-day responsibilities at Culler.
“Part of that process was holding town halls and listening to the community and having them share what it was that they wanted to have in their school,” Church said. “We got to create environments that were really responsive to the specific needs of that community. I want to take that same approach here. I feel like every conversation I have with a community member helps me try to make this an environment that parents feel welcome in.”
Fries said that empathetic approach to leadership is one of Church’s biggest strengths. She has heard positive feedback from people who have respected his ability to analyze situations from all points of view.
“Daniel combines a strong instructional leadership philosophy with humility,” Fries said. “He always listens first and leads with genuine curiosity, which helps create a safe and supportive school culture for Culler staff and students.”
One of Church’s biggest goals is helping students view everything as a learning opportunity. He said teachers and staff have worked hard to build their confidence in the classroom and beyond. The school’s daily announcements often include celebratory remarks for Cougars who have done well in activities, academic enrichment programs and community events.
“I know how brilliant our kids are,” Church said. “Having the privilege to teach eighth grade English here, I know how smart our kids are and how capable they are.”
Church has made reading a point of emphasis at Culler. The school’s last community meeting honored Cougars from all three grades who have met goals of reading 30,000, 50,000 and 100,000 words. He beamed with pride when he told the audience that several sixth graders had already reached those milestones.
“Everything we’re doing is really rooted in getting kids to not only be better readers on a test, but to really foster a love of reading,” Church said. “Readers are leaders. We want them to read not just because ‘I’m in charge and I told you so,’ but to read because reading’s a social activity just like going to the Nebraska football game. Reading is something that you can do for fun, it builds community and it opens up opportunities for you.”
Church shares those Culler success stories with his 93-year-old grandmother at Monday night dinners every week. He said the examples she and his grandfather gave him have been guiding principles in his daily work at school.
“Both of their lives were centered around the theme of education is really important,” Church said. “I’ve held onto that my entire life.”
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