LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dennis Doane was nominated by his colleague, Erik Gonzales.

Mr. Doane is the epitome of a LifeChanger. His life's work has created a beneficial difference at John J. Cairns Continuation High School. His work has supported the reform of this small continuation high school in Lindsay, California, and brought the attention of many influential education organizations. Mr. Doane's ability to positively add to the development of his school's atmosphere has created an educationally forward school. He possesses an excellent record of performance, which has produced a school of student excellence. His school is the result of a Stanford University study on social-emotional student learning.

Mr. Doane has created a beneficial difference, not only in his reform of alternative education, but in the lives of his students. He began at John J. Cairns as a Community Day teacher before being promoted to principal. Upon his promotion, he began to propel the school forward with his ability to form meaningful relationships with his staff and students.

Mr. Doane takes the time to get to know all of his students. He knows them all individually and knows all of their stories. He treats his staff with the same respect. His first responses to students with disciplinary issues is firm kindness. He does not yell at students; he treats them with the utmost respect and the firm belief that the issue is with the behavior and not the student personally. He understands that many of his students come from troubled homes or have issues outside of school that impact their attendance, academics, and behaviors. In a positive manner, he is able to influence even the most troubled students and improve interactions with students and teachers, and students and their parents. Mr. Doane believes in parent participation and offering parents and students resource support. He has created a network of support for students and their parents, which has resulted in a shift of the community's perspective of the alternative education learning environment.

Mr. Doane contributes to his school's positive atmosphere through his conduct with his teachers. He is supportive of the needs of his staff. He consistently checks in with them, extends supports and solicits feedback. Mr. Doane has created a positive environment for teachers that translates into a positive environment for students. John J. Cairns possesses high morale, and the staff feels appreciated and heard. In addition, Mr. Doane offers feedback to teachers in a positive light. Evaluations and observations are never a "gotcha" but more of an opportunity to provide and receive support. He has created a morale and standard with his teaching team that acts upon the motto that we always do what is best for learners.

Mr. Doane has a record of excellent performance on a professional level. Upon his transition to principal of John J. Cairns, he focused on building academic excellence. Under his leadership, the school has obtained its WASC accreditation, and all courses are A-G approved, John J. Cairns has been recommended for Model Continuation High School by the State of California. He has led this school to be on the cutting edge of education with its internship-based learning program. The internship program provides students with the opportunity for real-world learning in a full-time internship experience two days a week. The internship program has boosted attendance to over 94% and graduation rates that compare to the comprehensive high schools. Suspension rates are down, and student achievement has attracted the attention of Stanford University. Under Mr. Doane's leadership, John J. Cairns has become the focus of a social-emotional learning study of students. This research will be published next year, and will highlight the work at John J. Cairns under his leadership.

Mr. Doane conducts himself with an ethical and moral standard. He seeks the input of his staff, and he is willing to admit when he is wrong or doesn't have the answer. He doesn't stop there. Mr. Doane seeks constructive criticism and operates staff meetings that require all to participate. He treats students with the utmost respect. He honors their voice, does not belittle, always conducts himself in a positive manner, and treats all interaction as a learning moment.

"The way that Dennis Doane has changed the lives of students is beyond what I can say," said Gonzales. "My words only scratch the surface of the impact Dennis Doane has on students and staff, and how every day, with every interaction, he changes the lives of so many."