Transcript · Saint Paul Public Schools
Saint Paul Public SchoolsTranscriptThursday, August 21, 2025
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[0:01] [Music] Hi, my name is Danielle Hughes. I'm the new principal at Benjamin E. Mays. I am an
[0:06] alumni of Johnson High School. I graduated from Johnson my senior year and I've never left the
[0:11] community since. The moment I knew I was going to be a teacher, I knew it was going to be in
[0:16] St. Paul and that's my home and it will always be. We lived in St. Paul for many years. My brother,
[0:22] he went to Maxfield. I went to Galtier Elementary. We moved out to Maplewood.
[0:28] I went to a school in which I was one of four, I think five, students of color. That was a very
[0:35] hard transition. There was many nights that I cried, wanting to go back to my comfort and
[0:41] what I knew. And in that experience, I learned a lot. I learned how to adjust to life. I learned
[0:46] the skin I am was in is different than many of my peers at the time. I also learned how to do
[0:52] skills like code switch. And in that process, it was hard, but I had outlets and one of my outlets
[0:58] was basketball. I play basketball and I was able to travel to over 20 states. And in that process,
[1:04] um, one of my favorite coaches, he brought us back to Johnson. I just want to say I'm so
[1:08] excited to be your new principal and to be a part of the community and the family and the students.
[1:13] I've already met many people and you all have been such a warm and embraceful group of individuals. I
[1:19] look forward to meeting you all on the first day of school. We look forward to seeing you there.