Catching up with former New Milford volleyball player Danielle Gasser
NEW MILFORD, Conn. — Danielle Gasser’s story is one of travel, adventure, athletic achievement, and most importantly, of generosity. Danielle, now living in Charlotte, NC, is a high school teacher. “I chose education because I truly want to help people. As cliche as it may sound, I do want to make the world a better place.”
The 2008 New Milford High School graduate has an athletic resume that can only be defined as remarkable.聽 The all-around athlete chose to concentrate on volleyball and the decision paid off.聽 She was a 3-time All SWC, 2-time CT All State, a 4-time MVP, All Academic, a CT Senior All Star, and when she played tennis received All SWC recognition.聽 Her greatest honor, though, was being named the Coca Cola Connecticut High School Player of the Year in 2008.聽 She has also been inducted into the NMHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating from NMHS she went on to a successful career playing volleyball at Central Connecticut State, where she was a 2-year Team Captain and All Academic for all 4 years.聽 In 2012, she graduated with a degree in Biology. At the time of her graduation, she took advantage of her degree to begin a journey that could be described as an adventure, but to Danielle, it was her calling.
Right out of college Danielle taught Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology at Kinglee High School in Zhengzhou, China for 2 years. That experience became an education in itself as she was able to travel to various parts of China, along with visits to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, and Vietnam.聽 Her travel also included visiting her parents each summer after they moved to Ireland.聽 This also allowed her to continue her traveling passion and she has visited Rome, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and London.
When mentioning her parents, Keith and Linda, Danielle will credit their influence as the most important of her life.聽 Whether it was driving her to practices, guiding her focus for the love of her sport, and stressing that school should always be her main concern, her parents were there.聽 “I am so grateful for their support and commitment to my success and dedication in building a such a supportive and fun-loving family.”
That family consists of her 2 sisters, Chelsea (Kondos), and Regina (Bendler), along with her brother David.
She also credits NMHS Volleyball Coach, Lisa Stein and her coaches at CCSU, Linda Sagnelle and Greg Shell along with Coach Kraft from NMHS as mentors.
Danielle recently announced that she will be adding another member to her family and was recently engaged to Quamaine Cherry this past Thanksgiving.
Danielle was born in South Bend, IN and then lived in Sarasota, FL until 8th grade. Her family then moved to New Milford. Her fondest memories of New Milford are movies at Bank Street Theater, caroling on The Green, apple picking at Averill Farm, Lovers Leap Bridge, and a summer job at The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm.
After 7 years at Myers Park High School, she has recently been named Advisor for Science National Honor Society, been deemed “Accomplished Teacher” and is the Biology Lead Teacher.
When Danielle speaks about education and teaching, it is evident that her generosity as a teacher helps define who she is.聽 It is her “kids” that move her. “My kids are under a lot of stress in High School.” And it is not just about learning Biology.聽 “Mental health is a main focus in my classroom. I want my students to be confident in their abilities and always be true to themselves.” She said her mom would say to her, “Always be true to yourself.”
She has taken that advice and held onto it. She mentioned, “Do all the things, soak up all the experiences, and meet all kinds of different people. And when you find your people, hold on to them close. Tell them you love them every day and say it loudly.”
With every step of her journey thus far, Danielle Gasser has made an impact. She is much more than a teacher. She is a special person, a role model, and an inspiration to everyone that crosses her path.
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