Laci McDonald, Upper School Dance Teacher
F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award
Story by Ashley Hinton, Second Grade Teacher
Since arriving at Durham Academy more than 15 years ago, Upper School dance teacher Laci McDonald — the recipient of the 2024 F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award — has exemplified the highest standards of excellence, dedication, authenticity and compassion in education. In a school that often emphasizes intellectual achievement, Laci reminds us that true education encompasses the whole person. She teaches us that the brain is part of a body and that living fully means embracing and nurturing all aspects of our being. Laci's work reflects a profound belief in the potential of every individual, among students and colleagues alike, and her commitment to this belief propels them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Every year, students enter her dance class with varying degrees of comfort and experience. Through their journey together, Laci masterfully choreographs their learning. Her room is filled with students who learn to listen to their bodies. As they leap, twist, lift and tumble, all of her students learn to express themselves with her consistent guidance and encouragement. As one student puts it, “She has been a role model for me ever since I met her. She has taught me not only to be a stronger dancer, but also how to be a genuinely kind person who cares about the community around them. She has taught me that it is OK to let go sometimes and that I don't always have to be strong and have my walls up.”
For all students she teaches, from pre-kindergarten dancers through seniors, Laci celebrates individualism within the communal experience of dance. She inspires each dancer to find the movement and tempo that work for them, creating a space where every student can dance what they hear and feel with confidence.
Laci's passion and influence extend far beyond the traditional classroom setting. Her approach to teaching and advising is deeply rooted in empathy and understanding. As one Upper School colleague remarked, "Laci believes that all of us can be amazing, in our own ways, and she just never seems to get fed up with taking us to our amazingness." This unwavering faith in her students transforms her advisory sessions into spaces of growth and self-discovery. When a student is assigned to Laci's advisory, they gain a long-term mentor who knows them, cherishes their unique qualities and holds them accountable to their highest potential. Laci always leads with curiosity rather than criticism with her signature question to students: “What happened?” This helps foster a learning environment where students feel safe to express themselves and learn from their experiences.
Beyond her teaching and advisory role, Laci's other contributions to school life are nothing short of extraordinary. She orchestrates the Upper School’s biannual dance concerts, choreographs the fall play and spring musical, and spearheads DA’s hosting of the Durham County Special Olympics Spring Games with a level of dedication and logistical prowess that is truly awe-inspiring. The sheer scale of these events, coupled with her teaching and advising responsibilities, showcases her remarkable ability to balance multiple demanding roles simultaneously. The real magic, however, lies not in the complexity of organizing these events, but rather in her ability to turn students (and even nervous teachers) of all ages, abilities and backgrounds into artists. Laci tailors lessons and choreography to meet each performer's abilities, guiding them to discover their strength, flexibility and expressive potential.
From her work with DA dancers to the many ways she champions and serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Laci has profoundly impacted our understanding of what it means to be a community that values and celebrates diversity in all its forms.
Laci's influence reaches every corner of the Durham Academy community. Her ability to inspire enthusiasm in the classroom, demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of individual students, support her colleagues, and contribute to school life outside the classroom embodies the very essence of a life-changing educator. As each of her dance classes comes to a close, Laci and her students bow as a sign of respect for their learning space and end with a communal clap in appreciation of their collective performance. Thus, it is fitting that we can come together with a communal applause for all that Laci McDonald contributes to the Durham Academy community.
Editor’s Note: Ashley Hinton was the 2023 recipient of the F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Hershey Award was presented to Laci McDonald in May 2024 at Upper School commencement.
F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award
In 1988, the Durham Academy Board of Trustees established the F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award in recognition of former Headmaster Rob Hershey’s decade of dedication to faculty excellence. Since that time, 36 teachers have been recognized for their extraordinary talents and contributions. These teachers represent the best in teaching at Durham Academy by:
- Inspiring enthusiasm in the classroom and encouraging academic aspiration
- Demonstrating sensitivity to the academic and personal needs of the individual student
- Encouraging and supporting the efforts of colleagues
- Promoting the cooperation of a broad spectrum of the Durham Academy community
- Contributing to school life outside the classroom
View a list of all Hershey Award recipients at www.da.org/hersheyaward.