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Dr. Danny J. Herrera
Dr. Danny J. Herrera
Executive Leadership Coach, Urban Leader Coaching, LLC
Dr. Herrera is a certified executive leadership coach, former school leader and education researcher on fire about re-imagining America’s public education system. With nearly two decades of experience teaching and leading within Title I schools, and a doctorate in education, he is passionate about bridging theory and practice. Dr. Herrera’s experience spans instruction and campus leadership in both high-performing Title I schools and turnaround environments in Los Angeles, his hometown, and Milwaukee.
Dr. Herrera is a certified executive leadership coach, former school leader and education researcher on fire about re-imagining America’s public education system. With nearly two decades of experience teaching and leading within Title I schools, and a doctorate in education, he is passionate about bridging theory and practice. Dr. Herrera’s experience spans instruction and campus leadership in both high-performing Title I schools and turnaround environments in Los Angeles, his hometown, and Milwaukee.
Beyond his experience as an educator and school leader, Dr. Herrera has simultaneously pursued graduate degrees and systems-level fellowships, including involvement with the Teach For America Systems Impact Fellowship, The National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators where I have collaborated on projects with Teach Like a Champion, and previous involvement with Teach Plus and the KIPP School Leadership Program’s Research for Better Teaching.
Beyond his experience as an educator and school leader, Dr. Herrera has simultaneously pursued graduate degrees and systems-level fellowships, including involvement with the Teach For America Systems Impact Fellowship, The National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators where I have collaborated on projects with Teach Like a Champion, and previous involvement with Teach Plus and the KIPP School Leadership Program’s Research for Better Teaching.
Dr. Herrera attained his undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, his graduate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Northridge, and his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, Leading for Instructional Change at the University of Southern California. His dissertation was titled, “Pre-Service Teacher Educator Perceptions on Preparing Novice Teachers for High Quality Teaching of K-12 Students.”
Dr. Herrera attained his undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, his graduate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Northridge, and his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, Leading for Instructional Change at the University of Southern California. His dissertation was titled, “Pre-Service Teacher Educator Perceptions on Preparing Novice Teachers for High Quality Teaching of K-12 Students.”
My Approach to coaching is research-based & practice-proven
My Approach to coaching is research-based & practice-proven
mentorship & coaching
mentorship & coaching
Mentorship and coaching have been recognized as vital components in leadership development programs for educators of color. Effective mentoring for leaders of color bridges the gap between diverse, successful mentors and mentees, offering tailored guidance and support. This is particularly crucial for educators of color, where mentorship sometimes outweighs academic and instructional support in importance (Bristol et al., 2022). Due to the likelihood to interact with those who share similar identities and backgrounds in educational settings, educators of color may struggle to obtain mentoring sources from traditional school leadership, therefore seeking alternative mentoring sources, highlighting the challenge of accessing responsive mentors (Morales et al., 2022). This underscores the need for intentional, meaningful mentorship opportunities for Black school leaders. Darling-Hammond et al. (2022) found that highly structured, one-on-one mentoring, and continued mentoring beyond a program tenure were linked with instructional leaders feeling well-prepared and able to engage in data-driven decision making.
Key factors contributing to effective mentoring and coaching for Black school leaders include (Gross 2023; Weathers & White, 2015):
Shared cultural knowledge and experiences between mentor and mentee
Clear goals and structure for the mentoring relationship
Strong communication and honest feedback
cohort-based learning
cohort-based learning
Cohort learning models have emerged as a powerful approach for creating collaborative and generative spaces among peers, particularly beneficial for leaders of color who may feel isolated due to underrepresentation in educational leadership roles (Anderson, 2018; Black & Rice, 2020). Fifolt and Breaux (2018) found that cohort-based learning improves retention through peer-to-peer accountability while minimizing social isolation and fostering community.
Key benefits of cohort-based learning for leaders of color:
Sense of Belonging: Cohorts provide an alternative space for belonging, crucial for leaders of color who may feel isolated in their regular work environments.
Reflective spaces for critical conversations: Cohorts offer a safe space for learning and practicing cultural competence and strategy development for addressing issues of race, gender, and other social constructions.
Sustained Engagement: The cohort model supports sustained, long-term engagement, fostering deeper connections and ongoing professional development.
experiential learning
experiential learning
Experiential learning components have shown substantial benefits in leadership development programs (Darling-Hammond et al., 2022; Gooden et al., 2023; Madhani et al., 2022). This approach allows participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Key components of experiential learning include (Yarnall et al., 2024):
Problem-based learning
Action research projects
Internships
Data-driven decision-making exercises
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