First Flight community mourns passing of Danielle James
February 12, 2016
By Mack Doebler, Online Editor
Positivity is rarely a trait that people can pass over without acknowledging. Positive people are friendly and encouraging. They thrive in any situation.
Danielle James was a positive person.
“Everybody knew her,” said senior Morgan Gates, who knew James as a babysitter long before knowing her as a teacher. “They knew how good of a teacher she was and knew that it was what she was meant to do.”
On Feb. 8, James passed away after battling breast cancer for about a year. She was a graduate of both the College of the Albemarle and East Carolina University, a mother of four and a science teacher at First Flight since the 2005-06 school year. James stepped away from teaching last year for cancer treatments that seemed to have been working: Just two weeks ago, the 43-year-old visited the school and told colleagues she was looking forward to returning to work in August.
“Mrs. James was a breath of fresh air,” 2009 graduate Chelsea MacCracken wrote in an email to Nighthawk News. “She kept the glucose drawer always stocked, and had a way with teaching that made even the most difficult student love biology.”
James was First Flight’s Teacher of the Year in 2010-11 and her teaching methods were widely discussed throughout the school by students who loved her class.
“I always remember her in her apple costume and her purple wig teaching us about osmosis and homeostasis,” senior Samantha Xiques wrote in another emailed tribute.
Even on bad days, James was happy to help.
“She would have bad days — everybody does — but she would come in and you would just see the biggest smile on her face,” junior Maggie Farrell said. “She was always ready to teach.”
A quick look at her Haiku page reveals some of James’ encouraging tendencies. There are posts footmarked with the words “savor life and be a lifesaver” in rainbow type: The words “be a lifesaver” currently appear on the marquee outside First Flight, and the school’s Friends of Rachel Club passed out notes with that phrase and a Life Savers candy on Friday.
Elsewhere on Haiku are pictures of her students on field trips, her family and even a photo of James on a high ropes course with the caption, “Challenge yourself, I did!” Sometimes, however, her role as a teacher extended beyond just being a good educator to that of a good friend.
“I was in her sophomore biology class two years ago and on my birthday we went to the butterfly garden,” senior Chloe Williams said. “She knew that my birthday was coming up so she had both biology classes sing me happy birthday, and she clogged.”
James didn’t just befriend her students but also her fellow teachers, always trying to be a positive force in the lives of others.
History teacher Lisa Duke recalled one favorite story involving her friend.
“Two years ago, before she was sick, my daughter and I were back-to-school shopping and some people were yelling to each other across the aisles,” Duke said. “It was something like, ‘Who do you have for science this year because Susie Q hates science’ or something like that, and the person responded, ‘Danielle James.’ As soon as they said ‘Danielle James,’ somebody came way out from the shampoo aisle and before you knew it there were like 10 people in the makeup aisle saying things like, ‘Oh, she is such a great teacher, your kid is going to love it.’ I kept that story in the back of my mind and figured if she was ever having a bad day I could pull that out and tell her. I did get that opportunity.”
Some of James’ other accomplishments include creating a community garden in Kill Devil Hills with the help of her husband, Jack, and the creation of the Discovery Science Program. The Discovery Science Program sees high school students helping elementary schoolers understand and get excited about science.
Through both visible reminders of James’ impact in the community and the legacy of love felt by her family, friends and former students, Danielle James’ positive spirit will never be forgotten. A huge crowd is expected to share stories like these and many, many more during a celebration of James’ life Monday (Feb. 15) at the First Flight High School auditorium at 1 p.m.
“I will never forget the first time she said to a class of students, ‘I am living my dream,’ ” Colby Voight, a former First Flight teacher who currently works at Nags Head Elementary, wrote in another emailed tribute. “It was so genuine, so heartfelt, that it inspired them and me to find the same for ourselves. She was fierce in her acceptance and love as a friend, and every cell in my body will miss her, but her voice and spirit will live in my heart.”
Do you have a favorite Danielle James story? Share it in the comment section below to keep the conversation going.
A link to Danielle James’ obituary may be found here: http://www.twifordfh.com/danielle-james/
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials in James’ name be made to any of the following organizations:
KDH Community Garden
c/o Jack James
305 W. Atlantic St.
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Dare County Parks and Rec
PO Box 1000
Manteo, NC 27954
Outer Banks Relief Foundation
PO Box 545
Nags Head, NC 27959
Interfaith Community Outreach
PO Box 1663
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Victor Romero • Feb 14, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Danielle James was such a wonderful person and teacher. I had her as my biology teacher in my sophomore year and I couldn’t have been more thankful for her. I never expressed to her how much of an impact she made on my life during that one year I had her. If there was a problem I didn’t understand she always eager to help. When you walked into her room. She made biology fun! I really enjoyed her Discovery Science program. I took it during my sophomore year. Her class helped me realize how much I enjoy helping others especially children. Danielle was such a light to this community and I am so blessed and thankful I had her as my biology teacher. This week has been very difficult, but I know she is looking down from heaven watching over all of us! I will always remember her saying to us students “Savor a life & be a life savor”! I will pass these words to my friends & family!. I will continue to pray strength for Danielle’s husband and 4 daughters. I miss you Danielle. Please continue to watch over all of those you have encountered. Family, freinds, co-workers, everyone!
Leonard Francis Jr • Feb 13, 2016 at 8:47 am
Danielle was my friend. When I started at First Flight High School I cleaned her room. She never made me feel like a custodian, she always treated me like a friend. Every Friday she would always have something special for me for cleaning her room, she would buy me a dinner or something very special she knew I would like. When I was going for the Head Custodian, she wrote a letter to Mr Tillet and told that I would be so good for the job. She was so great to me. We kept up through the years as I started to clean rooms on the first floor and I didn’t have the time to go upstairs to see her, she made the time to come see me. We always had such wonderful talks. She was a friend, always there if you need to talk, she made time for you no matter how busy she was. I will miss her so, but will never forget her and will see her again one day in heaven. She is one of God’s angels watching over me every day. If ever I need to talk I will took up at the sky and say I need to talk, Danielle. Although I can’t see her, I know she will be listening, my sweet Danielle. Rest in peace my friend, I will miss you forever.
Becca Ayers • Feb 12, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Mrs. James, how do I even begin to explain the wonderment that is Danielle James. A woman who could teach better than any other human on the planet. A woman who helped me realize that life isn’t about grades, but about learning, and learning how to learn. She was so full of spirit and so much fun, she made me want to go to school each day to be in her class. I absolutely loved having her as a teacher, I even took an extra science class to have her again as my anatomy teacher. Her family was so loving and amazing, and I love her girls so much. Mrs. James was a wonderful woman, and I am blessed to have had the chance to meet her and get close to her.
Lisa Heath • Feb 12, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Dance Performance May 14th 2016 FFHS 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm in the memory of and dedicated to DANIELLE JAMES. Anyone interested in participating with us in the show in her memory please email Lisa Heath @ dance @ darenc.com . You do not have had to dance with Dare County . You only had to LOVE HER <3 Thank You
Lisa Heath • Feb 12, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Danielle James was such an inspiration to me. She LOVED her husband with all of her heart , The Best Mom Ever , The Best Teacher about education in school & in Life , The hardest worker , Always the first to volunteer., a fantastic clogger , Roll Model to everyone. Love You Forever My Friend & See you again one day on the streets of Gold <3
Jaclyn • Feb 12, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Danielle mentored me while I was an interim substitute at First Flight High School. I was fresh out of college , new to the area and had absolutely no idea about teaching. My first day without students she helped me set up the classroom, explained expectations and got me all ready for the kids. We clicked right away. The first day with student she left a note on my desk saying , “you got this” and checked on my after ever period. She then invited me to her home on back to school night and treated me like family. On my bad days she would tell me to keep my head up . I would tell her my students hated me and I’m terrible and her response was always , ” you are making a difference , they are feeling you out and if they claim they hate you they really love you.” Leaving First Flight was harder than I thought and the day I had to say goodbye to Danielle I cried the entire way home to Currituck. She was my lifesaver , who believed in me when she barley new me. She called me a few minutes after I left and said it’s not goodbye, it’s ill see you when I see you. She also said, you were put into my life for a reason and one day we will know why. God will I miss her !
Alyssa Barrientes • Feb 12, 2016 at 2:52 pm
I was in Mrs. James’ Biology class back in 2010 and was very involved in her after school Discovery Science Program. Reading the kind words above brought me to tears as it gave a perfect description of the kind of woman Mrs. James was. She was always positive and brought happiness where ever she went. She was inspirational and knowing her made my life growing up better.
Shannon (Shields) Harrison • Feb 12, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Mrs.James was the happiest person I have ever met! She always had a smile on her face! No matter the day you were having, once you set foot in her classroom she made you smile. She was one of my favorite teachers!! I am so saddened to hear of her passing. I hope that when my daughter starts school she is lucky enough to have a caring and kind teacher like Mrs.James. I am sending my thoughts and prayers to her family.
Shannon (Shields) Harrison
FFHS class of 2007
Katrina Grier • Feb 12, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Mrs. James was honestly one of the best people anyone could know. I met her when I was in I think elementary school, her daughters and I grew up dancing with each other and I looked forward to seeing her every week! I used to babysit for her and she would spend the whole time before she had to leave telling you that her house was your house! I will cherish every moment I got to spend with the most kindhearted woman I know. I will never forget her loving smile!