Laurie McDaniel

Name: Laurie McDaniel

Occupation: Special Education Teacher

City/State: Porter, TX

Spouse/Children: No spouse (thank goodness)---daughter, Caitlin 10 years

Hobbies: motorcycles, fishing, camping, books and karoake

Since High School: When I left school, I bummed around for awhile on a trust fund, and traveled to a lot of nice tropical places. I went to Del Mar and the University of Houston and became a paramedic. I worked for a county ambulance for about 4 years and became certified as a rescue diver. Then I was a medic in the oilfield for another 3 years. I got clean and sober in 1994 and became a drug/alcohol counselor. I had a daughter who is the light of my life and a complete handful. I worked in an indigent facility for 2 years, a transition facility (from prison) for a year and then worked inside the prisons for another 2 1/2 years. I decided that I might do more good if I went back to school and became a teacher, so I did. I graduated number one in my class from TAMUCC in 2004 with a 4.0 GPA. I am certified to teach all level Special Education, English as a Second Language, Elementary Education and Reading Specialist. I work with kids who were like me.

I have to say, even though I went through some really tough times because of the choices I made, I have experienced some really wonderful things as well. I hope to use all of my experience to make a difference in at least one child's life before I retire. Life is good.

I didn't go to the reunion because I didn't know about it. Maybe I will catch the next one. It would have been really good to see everyone.

Currently teaching in a special program for emotionally distrubed secondary students grades 7-12. I teach Language Arts, Rewading, Social Studies and Social Skills. Life is good and I am happy.

Take care of youselves and may you get everything wonderful that life has waiting for you. Drop me a line and keep in touch.