Mother and Daughter Find Joy in Teaching Together at Harrison
For educators Daphne and Dawne Draa, working together at Benjamin Harrison School 2 isn’t unusual. In many ways, it’s simply part of their family story.
Daphne has taught visual arts and design at the school since 2000 after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Fontbonne College and two master’s degrees from the University of Indianapolis, one in curriculum and instruction and another in elementary education.
Dawne joined the school community in 2008 as a media assistant after moving to Indianapolis from Tennessee.
Between them, Daphne and Dawne have 44 years of service to IPS and counting. But the connection between mother and daughter to education began long before they became colleagues with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS).
A few short decades ago, Dawne was an administrative assistant at the school where Daphne attended kindergarten through sixth grade. They often walked or rode to school together, arriving early and staying late for meetings and school events.
“We also have been behind the curtain,” Daphne said.
Today, Daphne and Dawne bring different strengths to their work. Dawne works in special education, while Daphne teaches first grade, and both share similar beliefs about working with children.
“We share the core belief that children must feel seen and loved to do their best,” Dawne said. “We have different gifts and we love to springboard ideas off each other in order to help the kids we serve.”
Dawne, who has an associate degree from Indiana University Bloomington, brings patience, re-teaching strategies and a strong commitment to protecting the school’s most vulnerable students.
Daphne combines creativity and knowledge, finding engaging ways to help students make meaningful connections.
Their conversations about school continue outside the building, but they have learned to focus on the good stuff. They carpool, live a few blocks apart and use their drives to share student breakthroughs, funny comments and memorable moments rather than dwelling on the challenges.
“We have set boundaries around when we talk and what we talk about for the sake of our husbands and our mindset,” Dawne said. “I encourage Daphne from a young age to replay the successes of the day, not to overfocus on the challenges. When we do share about students, it is about breakthroughs, funny things they say, adorable moments. You know, the good stuff!
Some of their favorite memories are wonderfully ordinary. For years, they worked morning car duty together, wearing silly hats and costumes, playing music and occasionally handing treats to families arriving at school.
And then there are the moments when students suddenly realize the two women they have known for years are mother and daughter.
“As we all know, kids don’t always pick up what you put down,” Daphne said. “While we think it is well known, there is always a child that is in about third or fourth grade that has that ‘Ah Ha!’moment even though they have known us since kindergarten. That adorable moment of clarity, where it all makes sense, is affirming and the sweetest compliment.”
Those “ah-ha” moments never get old.
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