When the dart fell near Union Hill road Monday, Pamela Daniels had just wrapped up another day teaching young minds at New Life Christian Academy.

She said her preschool kids were too young to have any activities relating to the eclipse like some of the other students got to do.

“We wanted to make sure the kids were kept safe,” Daniels said. “They weren’t even concerned with the eclipse.”

Daniels said she has always wanted to be a teacher, specifically of young children, and got the chance to become a full-time teacher five years ago at OCAP.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Daniels said. “I loved it ever since I was a little girl.”

The first career Daniels studied for was actually nursing, but she said she quickly realized that it wasn’t what she really wanted to do and got her degree in early childhood development instead

“I always wanted to work with the little children because they’re so creative,” Daniels said. “When they learn they just light up and they get to be very creative.”

Daniels said her favorite part of the day is when the children go into their small work groups.

“You really get to see what the children get excited about,” Daniels said. “And it’s touching when they leave school for the day and they give hugs; this is my passion and so I miss them.”

Daniels had some training before she even got her degree with three daughters to raise.

“When my children were younger, I did this with them,” I would sit with them and talk with them; children are just little people that want to talk and be heard.”

Two of her daughters are already out of the house and the third is 16, so Daniels enjoys the chance to continue teaching children.

She also enjoys the chance to go home at the end of the day though and relax with her husband of nearly 30 years, Alonzo, pastor at Union Missionary Baptist Church.

“I love to watch game shows and Lifetime movies with my husband,” Daniels said. It’s nice that we can do that now that the children are grown.”

Daniels said the secret to their marriage has been putting God first and communication.

“I love it,” Daniels said. “Marriage is what you make of it. God has got to be the head and communication is key; and respecting each other’s differences.”

It is also important to Daniels that she is able to still serve in the ministry while she teaches.

“Ministry means a lot to me,” Daniels said. “It’s very important with the people we serve. It means the world to us to serve God’s people. I love being able to teach children and pour the love of Christ into them.”