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Louisiana roots inspire English teaching career for Daniel

By Haley Smith
[email protected]
Staff Writer

Not every college has an English department headed by someone from the authentic Cajun country of Louisiana. LaNelle Daniel, associate professor of English and English department coordinator, recalls the place where she grew up and how that inspired her to teach English to college students.

Daniel grew up in a small Louisiana town 60 miles southeast of New Orleans. She lived in the country where she was raised on a farm.

Besides being an English teacher, Daniel is a mother of three daughters and a grandmother of one. Daniel stated that she is proud to say that two of her daughters earned their associate degree at Georgia Highlands.

"When you think of the stereotypes of Louisiana, that's exactly where I was, " Daniel said. She explained that as a child, reading was the only form of entertainment. She grew to love it so much that she wanted to make a life out of it.

Daniel went to college to study English. "I wanted to share the desire and pleasure of reading and writing, " said Daniel. She taught at colleges in Louisiana, Mississippi, Wyoming and now Georgia. She has been teaching for 20 years, 11 have been at Georgia Highlands College.

Daniel explained that reading and writing are crucial in today's age. She noted that it has become "out of fad " to most students. She explained that people are judged on what they write.

In terms of retirement, Daniel said with a smile, "I'll retire when it stops being fun, but right now it's still fun. " She stated that she learns from her students every year and never gets tired of it. She hopes students take from her class "enthusiasm and the knowledge to transform writing into literature. "