Steve Daniel, a 27-year employee of Harlan County Public Schools, is a man with many talents.
He is active in the community, serving as a traveling evangelist and visiting churches in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. His home church is the Cawood Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Currently, he serves as treasurer of the Harlan County Chamber of Commerce, an organization that works to grow business and industry in our area.
A CHAMPION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Steve began attending the chamber after being named employment specialist. While his office is located at Harlan County High School, his program is the Kentucky Community Work Transition Program (CWTP), a statewide initiative for students with disabilities to gain skills for future employment.
Daniel says the program provides both pre-employment transition services and Transition Services through a collaboration between the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Kentucky Department of Education, and local education agencies. It aims to give students experiences in their communities, helping them to graduate with competitive employment outcomes.
“We work on job development and job coaching skills in the community businesses,” he said. “I get to work with a lot of businesses, learn their needs, and try to find placements for students in these businesses.”
He says the reward of the job is seeing students successfully placed and thriving in employment and training.
“It is a win-win situation for our businesses and our students," he said.
“Steve Daniel represents everything we value in Harlan County Public Schools—service, compassion, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of our students and the strength of our community,” said Superintendent Brett Johnson.
“His work through the CWTP program is life-changing for students, and his involvement in the chamber of commerce builds vital connections that benefit our entire county. Steve is one of those rare individuals who makes every space better simply by being in it, and we are grateful for his dedication not just during this Thanksgiving season, but every day of the year.”
Steve holds a degree in learning behavior disorders and is also certified to teach English Language Arts.
BEYOND THE JOB
He has a lot of hobbies and interests, but is known by his coworkers for his culinary talents. One of his specialties is smoking “the perfect meats.” When asking him about his cooking, he gets a huge smile on his face and quickly adds that he likes to try out new restaurants as well.
He likes to travel, especially cruises, and is planning a train excursion in the near future.
Many could be envious of his couponing successes as he often tells of landing a large quantity of products for a very small price. While he benefits personally, he said the reward is being able to donate the many products to those in the community who are in need.
His goal is to save at least half off a product price. If he can’t, he moves on to the next item on his list.
He says it is important to support local businesses, because they are the lifeblood of our local economy. They employ local people and pay taxes that provide our many services to citizens.
He realizes his job and being a volunteer and involved in the chamber opens doors for his students.
“This is important and one of the reasons I enjoy my role as an employment specialist and being able to participate in the chamber of commerce,” he said. The chamber provides him with the perfect venue to talk and mingle with business owners and managers to learn about their employment needs in hopes of growing their workforce.
“I really like seeing new businesses start up, and our chamber goes and provides ribbon cuttings for them. I really like watching them do well. They strive to do good in the community. I enjoy that. I really like to see this.”
A SERVANT’S HEART
Giving back to the community is important to him, noting it is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
“Give back to the ones who gave to you,” he says. “There are people who have helped me along the way and I want to be able to help others who are starting out in education or whatever. I want my students to be productive members of society. They can all be productive in some way. There is pride in it too. I am proud to be from Harlan. I can go visit wherever, but Harlan is home.”
“The community has provided me great opportunities,” said Daniel. “I stayed here because of these opportunities.”
He has a big family and is awfully proud of his two sons Stephen and Matthew and daughter in-law – (Stephen’s wife), Jozie. His dad is Doug Daniel, a retired coal miner. His mom was Donna Daniel, a longtime HCPS food service employee.
Steve attended Southeast Community College and Union College. He earned his bachelor’s degree and Rank I in leadership at Union College.
He lives in the Cawood community and has taught at Cawood Elementary (K-6), Hall Junior High (7-8th), James A. Cawood High School and Rosspoint Elementary. Now he is at HCHS.
Note: We are proud of our employees for going above and beyond outside their work day to help others and to serve the community for the greater good.