First Classroom - Union School

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Last 24 years - Computer Teacher

Dr. NH Jones Elementary

Technology Magnet - Ocala, FL

My little girl - Angel

2015 Masters Outdoor National Championships - 5th place-Shot Put

                    Daniel Yerdon was born and raised in the

                    small, northern NY town of Gouverneur.                                                                                    

                    After High School, he attended Potsdam               

                    College and received his Bachelors in Art,

                    Education, and continued on to obtain a

                    Masters in Educational Technology.  

     During the summers, Daniel started a job as a Butler on a private island in Alexandria Bay. This job lasted an amazing 17 summers.

    After receiving his Masters, Daniel spent a couple years in a handicapped classroom, then he ventured off to try international teaching. He accepted a 2nd grade position in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He loved the island country but because of political unrest, he could not return to the Caribbean nation after his summer job.

    Friends from college that were living in Florida invited him to come down and try to get a teaching position in Ocala. He accepted a replacement position at a Middle School for a year and then in 1995, landed a job at the newly opened technology magnet school - Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary where he as been ever since.

        Along the way he has done some traveling to Europe, done some teaching for Florida Southern College, held the title of president for a number of years to the local Artists’ Co-op, and became the father to two beautiful girls, Diva and Angel. Diva and Angel have both passed over the rainbow bridge but Daniel is still a huge pug lover.

    Daniel’s newest endeavor is competitive Track & Field. He throws shot put and discus on the Senior Games circuit here in Florida and manages to throw at some USATF events as well. So far, the highlight of Daniel’s throwing season has been a 5th place ribbon at the 2015 Masters Outdoor National Championships.

    As for stained glass, he started the craft in 1986 during the summer after a dinner guest talked about taking classes. He purchased a beginner’s kit and off he went. He would do some local art shows for a number of years to show his artwork and soon realized the need for a shop in the Ocala, Florida area. In 2007 he opened Design by Daniel with the supplies from his extra bedroom studio. Slowly but surely, the shop has grown to a wonderful studio that offers classes, commissions, sells supplies, does repairs, and houses a gift shop of Daniel’s work.

    Daniel is always willing to offer help to anyone that has a glass question. He hopes the glass shop will spark creativity in anyone that comes in.  Stop by and say hello!

Jim Harbin Media Festival

Grace Svercek

Best of Show, Marion Co.

2nd place, State of FL