Daniel Eaton was first my band director in sixth grade. He stayed at the middle school through COVID-19, and then moved to the high school my eighth grade year. When I moved up to the high school band, he was very welcoming, treating me with the same respect and attitude as any other student in his high school classes. 

Eaton uses a lot of student recommendations and influence in his teaching, and he uses that to get closer to his students

“We sit down and talk to Mr. Eaton about pep band dates, we decide that together, what would be most convenient for kids,” band vice president and senior Alyssa Isackson said. “As well as deciding what kind of music we want to do, because he likes student input.”

Eaton has had a very unique experience as a teacher these past few years, as he has known most kids in his bands this year since sixth grade. This long relationship has helped him get closer to his students, which in turn makes the classes more enjoyable for students to participate in.

“There’s two different [kinds of leaders],” said Eaton. “There’s the leader that leads from the front and says ‘come follow me’, and there’s the leader that leads from behind and says ‘let’s go, people’, and equips those people with what they need to be successful. I try to be the one from behind.” 

Eaton wants his students to be able to take the community and leadership skills they gain in band and to transfer them to college and beyond. This year, he will be helping 24 seniors continue on their path in life. 

“I want my leaders to have the ability to talk to the students, to trust them and to be able to make relationships with the people around them,” Eaton said.

Eaton is a very quick-witted person, and he is still proactive and has advanced bands that produce wonderful music. He has the perfect balance of silly and serious in his classes which makes him one of the best and friendliest teachers in this school.