Dr. Brian McDaniel a 2018 California Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Nominee, is a music educator who has raised over $1,000,000 through grants, donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers to ensure access for every child in his program. As an educator for 12 years, he has successfully built award winning Elementary, Middle and High Schools music programs, serves in Leadership with various school and teacher organizations, and is an Educational Justice Advocate who is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles through academic opportunities. Choosing to serve in a Title I schools, he founded The Regiment, his student-led music organization that serves as a safety net for students; helping kids to overcome the trials of school and life. The Regiment continuously improves school climate and academic performance by living up to their motto of rising “Beyond All Expectations”. A native of Desert Hot Springs, he is the Director of Bands and Choirs at Painted Hills Middle School in the Palm Springs Unified School District.