Danyelle Dunavold

Master of Arts in Teaching, 2011
School of Education

February 1, 2012

“I am able to implement the numerous skills I received through the Credential and MAT program AND pass on a theatrical legacy.”

Danyelle Dunavold teaches English Language Arts reading intervention courses and is also the Theatre Arts Director at Irvine High School (IHS). She currently is in rehearsals for IHS Theatre Arts’ production of the musical The Boy Friend, having completed a successful run of her IHS directorial debut: William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Prior to becoming the newest member of the IHS Vaquero family, Mrs. Dunavold commuted 300 miles a day to teach at a performing arts charter school in Hesperia. While there, she taught Theatre Arts and Creative Writing and also directed Macbeth, Our Town, and A Christmas Carol: the Musical.

Prior to pursuing her Single Subject: English teaching credential, Mrs. Dunavold held positions as an investment advisor and financial advisor with UBS Financial Services as well as Merrill Lynch. Before that, she enjoyed a long and successful career as a Broadway performer, which culminated in a 4-year run playing “Belle” in the Broadway National Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Having experienced the financial meltdown firsthand (Mrs. Dunavold was one of the millions affected by Bank of America’s purchase of Merrill Lynch), she had the unique opportunity to look back and assess the series of unfortunate events as a blessing.

I was able to step back, look at my two careers, and analyze what made me happy. In finance, I focused on empowering my clients with as much knowledge as I possibly could. As a performer, I was passionate about promoting literacy (“Belle” = books!), working with educators, and reading to children at various Ronald McDonald House locations throughout the United States. I have come to realize that a career in education is what I have spent my life preparing for.

In 2009, Mrs. Dunavold enrolled in UC Irvine’s Teacher Credential program and completed her Master of Arts in Teaching in August 2011.

I love having the opportunity to empower my students with knowledge and finding that pathway to “hook” their intrinsic motivation, giving them the means to proactively take advantage of every educational opportunity available to them.

Mrs. Dunavold truly feels blessed to have been welcomed with open arms to the incredible Vaquero family at Irvine High School and to be a vital part of a district devoted to the Visual and Performing Arts.

Now, I am able to implement the numerous skills I received through the credential and MAT program AND pass on a theatrical legacy. What an amazing opportunity!

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