2022 Educator and Staff of the Year

Xenia Schools Honors Staff at Back to School Convocation
Posted on 08/15/2022
Xenia Community Schools announced the 2021-2022 Educator of the Year and Staff Person of the Year at the back-to-school Convocation on Monday, August 15.

School nurse Darla Gray was awarded the Staff Person of the Year, and Warner Middle School social studies teacher Dana McClain was recognized as the Educator of the Year. 


Awardees are nominated at the end of each year, with recognition being given at the start of the following school year. The awardees receive a $1000 stipend, supported by the Doug Adams Trust. 

ABOUT THE 2022 AWARDEES

Darla Gray has been an employee of the district since 2003, beginning her career as a one-to-one aide before moving into nursing.  She was a key player in developing several district initiatives, including the dental care program that now serves more than a thousand students each year, as well as creating an education program for asthma, diabetes, and severe allergies to help students monitor their health. She was also critical to the work of tracking and managing healthcare needs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as starting the school-based health center opening this fall in partnership with Dayton Children’s. 

From her nomination:
Darla Gray is an exemplary employee that has truly dedicated her days to Xenia Community Schools and school nursing. She works tirelessly and is respected by the people that work with her and by those that work for her. There are many days that Darla is the first person to arrive at school and the last person to leave the school building. 

Recently, Darla has worked extremely hard to make the new School Based Health Center at Warner Middle School a reality. Darla is always willing to go the extra mile to do what is best for Xenia Community Schools, and I think this is the perfect year to recognize her.


Dana McClain has been with the district since 2000, and began her career at Central Junior High before moving to Warner Middle School, where she now teaches seventh grade students. A graduate of Xenia High School, Dana is known for her innovative approach to engaging students, and works to create a classroom where students can learn in fun and memorable ways. From hosting a Japanese tea ceremony when studying that culture to helping students build their own roads — just as the Romans did! — Dana has worked to ensure memorable learning experiences for Xenia students for more than two decades.

From her nomination:
Mrs. McClain goes the extra mile for the students to make them feel welcome and safe in her care. During our interactions, she was a leader who rallied teachers for spirit days, spring break socials, teacher appreciation week, and more. 

Just by looking around her room, it is easy to see the legacy she has left for her students, working with decades of cheer teams, going on countless Washington D.C. trips, and overseeing the 8th grade WEB leaders.