Chasati McCowan is one of the Spanish teachers at Danville High School, a position she's held for about 22 years.

"I currently have several students in class now whose parents I also had as students," she said.

She graduated from DHS herself in 1995. During her time in the Danville Schools, she played basketball and threw shot put and discus for the high school starting in 7th grade.

Tell us about your Danville Schools journey. What school(s) did you attend, and what’s a highlight that stands out?

I started at Danville Schools in 2nd grade, attending Hogsett Elementary. Prior to that I had attended Junction City Elementary for kindergarten and 1st grade. After Hogsett, I was at Bate and then the high school. A couple of my favorite teachers from Hogsett were Mrs. Stevens from 4th grade and Mr. Lynn from 5th grade. Mr. Lynn gave us Mamba candy for doing well on our spelling tests. At Bate, some of my favorite teachers were Mrs. Hotlzclaw, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Napier, and Mrs. Pat Miller. Mrs. Miller moved to DHS with us freshman year and was by far my absolute favorite teacher I ever had. At the high school, some of my favorites besides Mrs. Miller were Mrs. Patricia Calvert, who later became my colleague, and Mrs. Nellie Shelton (McKnight). 

Are there specific instances/relationships that stand out to you as having an impact on your success since graduating?

Although I graduated from DHS nearly 31 years ago, the impact of being from a small, diverse school is still very present in my life. Because it was a small school, teachers knew us personally and held us accountable, not just academically, but as young people learning how to contribute to a community. That environment taught me responsibility and integrity. The diversity within the school also broadened my perspective at an early age. Interacting daily with classmates from different backgrounds helped me develop empathy and respect for others, which are qualities that continue to shape how I interact with my students today. Most importantly, the encouragement from teachers and staff helped build my confidence. They saw potential in me that I didn’t always see in myself. I was a shy student, so I didn't particularly stand out. 

Are there specific instances/relationships that stand out to you as having an impact on your success since graduating?

I think having some of the amazing teachers I had such as Mrs. Pat Miller, Mrs. Patricia Calvert, and Mrs. Nellie Shelton (McKnight) had a significant impact on me. I don't think I would be the teacher I am today if it wasn't for them. Science has never been my favorite subject, but two of the three teachers mentioned were my science teachers. It was more about the relationships they built with their students. They genuinely cared about their students and made you feel like you mattered. I love teaching Spanish, and I love getting my students hooked on music and shows in Spanish and hope they continue wanting to learn Spanish. However, what matters most to me is that my students know that I genuinely care about them and I want to make sure they always have a safe space in my classroom. 

What advice would you give to a parent who was choosing an education path for their child?

As a product of Danville Schools, I would encourage any parent choosing an education path to look beyond test scores and consider the overall environment their child will grow up in. In a smaller, diverse school community like Danville, students aren’t just numbers; they are known by their teachers and peers. I would also tell parents to value diversity and community. Being surrounded by classmates from different backgrounds prepared me for the real world far more than I realized then. It taught me empathy, respect, and how to work with people who think differently. I would advise parents to choose a place where their child will be supported, challenged, and encouraged to participate. Danville provided me with opportunities to be involved, to lead, and to grow, and those experiences stayed with me long after graduation.

In addition to being a DHS grad and a DHS teacher, I am also a Danville Schools parent. My daughter is currently a senior at DHS. She has received a wonderful education at Danville Schools starting with Jennie Rogers from kindergarten to 4th grade, Toliver for 5th grade and then on to Bate Middle School. As a parent, I couldn't imagine having my daughter in any other school system.

As a product of Danville Schools, what drives you to give back to your local school and/or district?

Gratitude is what drives me to give back and a desire to help create those same opportunities for today’s students. I know firsthand that the impact of a supportive school community can last a lifetime. If I can contribute in any way to strengthening that environment, whether through time, mentorship, or support, I see it as investing in the next generation. I have been fortunate to be able to teach at Danville now for 22 years and give back to the school system what it gave to me. Danville Schools didn’t just educate me; it helped shape my character. 

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This piece is part of an ongoing series telling the stories of our Danville Alumni! We share a new alumni story once a month, and we want YOUR story. If you or someone you know is a Danville graduate and an excellent representative of the Danville community and the idea of #SuccessForALL, whether they live in Danville or not, please fill out the form linked below. You can also show your Danville Alumni pride on social media with the hashtag #DanvilleAlumniStories

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