Catch the Magic: Daniel Luce brings passion for education to Building Blocks’ Early Learning Program

Daniel Luce brings passion for education to Building Blocks’ Early Learning Program

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As a child, Daniel Luce thought men weren’t allowed to be teachers.

It was a silly notion, of course, but since he’d only ever been taught by female teachers, he figured that was just how the world worked.

That changed when Luce started fifth grade at Dodson Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre and stepped into the classroom of Michael Grebeck, who now serves as principal of the Wilkes-Barre Area High School.

For Luce, the light bulb clicked on instantly. Not only did he realize anyone could be a teacher, but he wanted to be one too.

“I followed education anywhere I could find it from that point on,” he said.

That included working as a tutor in sixth grade and later becoming a counselor at the Catholic Youth Center when he was 15. While in college, he even worked simultaneously as a substitute teacher and a part-time custodian for the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

“For me, being in the area that I grew up that gave me the education that I wanted, I just truly wanted to be in the district in any way I could,” Luce explained.

After 7 years spent working at Building Blocks Learning Center in a variety of positions, Luce recently became managing director of Building Blocks’ Early Learning Program at the center’s new South Main Street location.

He previously served as a director for the Wolfpack Early Learning Center, which closed at the beginning of the summer because funding concluded.

As an administrator, Luce works with his staff to provide children with the best care and education possible. In order to do that, Luce said teachers must always have compassion for the families they serve and must work to build a community around them.

“It’s important to know about the things that can help people, like food banks and financial assistance. Things that I didn’t even know existed until I got into a managing director role. So, the philosophy I have now is just trying to have a heart and give families the knowledge that they need,” Luce explained.

Getting children ready for school is an equally important part of early education, whether they’re enrolled in daycare or pre-K. For Luce, communicating with parents about how their child is progressing is a crucial step in making sure they develop the skills necessary to continue their education.

“We’ll talk to parents about what their kids did during the week, what our observations are and what they struggled with,” said Luce.

If there’s ever a time when the program cannot support a certain child, Luce said he makes sure to give parents resources on other places to go.

“I don’t want parents to walk out of my building and say, ‘Well, now I have to Google another childcare center.’ So, we reach out to other places and we partner with Wyoming Valley Children’s Association because we understand they’re better suited for maybe some kids who we can’t support.”

In order to have a positive impact as a teacher and to make learning fun, Luce said that he always prioritizes the things that matter the most to students – to show interest in the things they are passionate about.

Luce himself has a deep love of anime, cartoons and video games, which he said helps him stay connected to his students as well as his own childhood.

“If they bring up a video game to me, I make it a point to go home and look up that video game,” he said.

This approach has led to some truly memorable moments in the classroom.

Recalling a memory from when he was a third grade substitute teacher at Kissler Elementary, Luce said that at the end of the year, one of his students came up to him and told him he would never forget him.

“He told me it was because whether it was his favorite baseball team or Harry Potter, I always listened to him and gave feedback,” Luce said. “I’ll never forget that. Even as I’m talking about it now, it hits me in a very soft spot.”

As far as where he plans to take his career next, Luce was quick to gush about how much he loves working for Building Blocks and doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

“I’m very fortunate to work for great people who value me and see my potential. So I know that I am slated to go higher in this company. What that position is and what it entails, I have no idea. But I know whatever it is, the people here will set me up for success. I feel like we’re just getting started.”