Dr. Donna McDaniel says two educators in her past have paved the way for how she plans to lead as the new superintendent of DeKalb Independent School District.

As a student at DeKalb Middle School, James Germany, or Mr. G. to his many students, left a lasting impression on her.

“He inspired and created an awakening in students, or he did for me,” McDaniel said. “When I got this job, he was congratulating me and I said to him, ‘You know I’m going to be calling you if I need your help.’�...