New College of Florida honors educator Kay Daniels with honorary degree

New College of Florida conferred an honorary Master of Education in Educational Leadership on Sarasota educator Kay Daniels at its Aug. 13, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting. The honor recognizes Daniels’ classroom leadership and her role as the host teacher when President George W. Bush was notified of the 9/11 attacks in Sarasota.

Why it matters: - New College of Florida is recognizing Kay Daniels for both her long career in education and her place in a defining moment in U.S. history. - The honorary degree highlights Daniels’ work with Sarasota students and underscores the college’s focus on educational leadership.

What happened: - New College of Florida conferred an Honorary Master of Education in Educational Leadership on Kay Daniels at its Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. - The degree was presented as the nation approached the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. - Daniels is a longtime Sarasota educator. - Daniels served as the host teacher at Emma E. Booker Elementary School on Sept. 11, 2001, when President George W. Bush was visiting. - White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered the news of the attacks to President Bush inside Daniels’ second-grade classroom.

The details: - New College said Daniels showed composure during the 9/11 moment and reflected the resilience and professionalism of educators. - The college said the honor also recognizes Daniels’ lifelong devotion to the academic and social success of Florida students. - Daniels’ career spans decades across multiple grade levels and school communities. - Daniels holds K-12 Reading and ESOL endorsements. - Daniels helped students who needed literacy and language support. - At Booker Middle School, Daniels designed and directed the Summer Transition Program, later renamed the Summer Enrichment Program. - Daniels also served as coordinator for an after-school program sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club. - The after-school program expanded safe, educational opportunities beyond the school day. - New College President Richard Corcoran said Daniels represents steady leadership, courage and a deep belief in education’s power. - Daniels said she was deeply humbled by the honorary degree and pointed to her years of daily classroom work and enrichment programs.

Between the lines: - The honor ties Daniels’ public identity to a historic national event, but the college is framing the award around her broader teaching legacy. - New College is also signaling support for educational leadership as an academic priority through this recognition and its graduate offerings.

What's next: - New College will continue offering its Master’s program in Educational Leadership as part of its graduate lineup. - Daniels’ recognition adds to the college’s public profile as it marks the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. - New College’s social media presence includes its Instagram account.