daniel cates

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Following undergraduate years at the University of Notre Dame and earning my doctorate in school psychology at Indiana University, I lived and worked in the same remarkable public high school district for 28 years.  Beginning my career as a school psychologist, my later administrative roles included director of special education, associate superintendent and six years as superintendent.  

As superintendent, I had primary responsibility of programming and opportunities for nearly 12,000 students through the dedicated work of 2500 staff members with a budget of $260 million, provided in large part by extraordinary community members and businesses. 

The following influences in my life have combined to shape my values, beliefs and approach to public service:

Growing up in the loving home of a factory-working, blue-collar family, I learned the values of hard work and sacrifice.

Working in the farm fields of summer and having the opportunity to meet the leader of the migrant farmworker movement, Cezar Chavez, I learned the values of dignity for all who labor and how lives can be improved through leadership.

In the poor mountainside villages of Mexico, I witnessed parents' pride in the presence of a schoolhouse and their belief that education was their children's path to a better life.

Working directly with young people and families as a psychologist, I have experienced the fragility and unfinished nature of the human condition. 

Serving the interests of students, parents and community members in my years of public education, I learned the invaluable skills of patient listening, purposed communication and unshakable commitment to one's values and vision.

Through the loving kindness and service of friends and teachers willing to tell me the truth, I have experienced greater freedom from my shortcomings and I have been willing to speak my own truth with greater frequency.