LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Danielle Shaub was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Shaub is a certified music educator serving over 800 students in grades 2-6. She is committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment that promotes musical growth, personal confidence, and social connection. A supportive learning space is essential in both general music and choir settings, where students are often asked to take creative risks, collaborate closely with peers, and develop lifelong artistic skills. From the first day of school, she focuses on building a classroom culture rooted in respect, kindness, and belonging. 

She co-establishes behavior expectations with students and consistently reinforces them through daily routines and shared language. She selects music from a wide range of cultures, styles, and traditions to ensure that all students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and learn to value diversity in music and one another. Positive student-teacher relationships are at the heart of her classroom environment. She takes time to learn each student's name, interests, and learning preferences, and she greets them individually when they enter the room. Whether they are singing in unison, composing rhythms, or preparing for a choir concert, students are encouraged to contribute ideas, collaborate, and take ownership of their learning. She incorporates student voice through musical choices, creative projects, and leadership roles during rehearsals and performances.

Many students enter music class feeling unsure of their abilities. She intentionally cultivates a classroom culture where mistakes are viewed as part of the learning process. In both general music and Choir, she uses formative feedback, peer encouragement, and a growth mindset approach to help students build confidence and resilience. This is especially critical during performance preparation, where students learn to set goals, practice deliberately, and celebrate progress.

A positive classroom environment is essential for equitable access to music education. Her approach ensures that every child, regardless of background or ability, has the tools and encouragement to participate fully. 

Ms. Shaub is currently in her 22nd year of teaching music education in the Lake Local School District located in Uniontown, Ohio. She teaches elementary general music and 5th and 6th-grade choirs. Ms. Shaub is the Ohio Music Educators' Association (OMEA) State President-Elect, as well as the OMEA and National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Advocacy Leadership Force representative for the state of Ohio. Annually, she presents music sessions at the local and state levels and is an active Solo and Ensemble and Large Group Contest adjudicator.

In March 2024, Ms. Shaub was named the Canton Symphony Music Educator of the Year. Ms. Shaub is the co-advisor for Lake Leaders, Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), and Ruling our Experiences (ROX). She is a certified educator in Responsive Classroom PBIS training, and she accompanies various musicals and programs. Ms. Shaub has written and received many grants for her students and classroom. She believes that all students deserve music as part of their educational instruction. 

In 2017 and 2018, she won the grants "Where Words Fail and Music Speaks" and "Music Brings Sound to Silence," which funded a music therapist to work with cross-categorical/special needs students throughout the school year, culminating in evening programs attended by parents and students. In 2019, she won the grant "March to the Beat of Your Own Drum" through a music and physical education collaboration for students with special needs. In 2021, she won the grant "Bucket Drumming Fun," which allowed students in Choir to interact and perform with Elec Simon, a performer with Broadway Across America and motivator. In 2022, she received a grant, "Reflection of Musical Expression," for a classroom set of MIDI keyboards. In 2024, she received a grant for African drumming instruments.

Along with her daily teaching responsibilities, Ms. Shaub is a private flute and piano instructor.