Hi, my name is Daniel Watson.
I’m your Knox County Board of Education member for District 3.
Raised primarily by single mothers, my wife, Mandy, and I felt called to stand in the gap with mother-led families across our community who often have felt alone and trapped by cycles of trauma and poverty. In 2007 we launched The Restoration House, a restorative community where we live with 22 low-income mothers-led families with over 50 children. Over the past 12 years we have helped family after family change their future through supportive housing, team mentoring, family advocacy, and youth development.
I now feel called to stand in the gap for more students and families across our community by helping advance our local public education system.
As a first-generation college graduate, I know the incredible opportunities that come through education, but for far too many of our young people the doors of opportunity are locked before they ever have the chance to open them. I am for every student, believing that given the right tools, every child has the capacity to learn and be successful. Rooted in this belief, I want to ensure there is a culture in our public education system where we are focused on providing an environment of excellence for every child.
I am committed to continuing to work hard for the students in our community. Taking the lessons I’ve learned advocating with low-income mother-led families, I plan to work to ensure every student across District 3, and Knox County as a whole, has access to the very best education possible.
My Priorities
• Leadership that values every voice and focuses on excellence for every student
• Eliminate the achievement gap by continually addressing the disparities in education
• Ensure parents are viewed as valuable partners in education, whose voices matter
• Support teachers in every way to educate today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce
• Ensure financial decisions are made responsibly and align with the core values of Knox County Schools
Vote for Daniel Watson
Early Voting FEB 12 THRU FEB 25
Election Day MARCH 3
Not sure if you’re in District 3?
“After visiting The Restoration House, I decided to rappel down a 16-story building in the annual Over the Edge event in 2019. I am in awe of how Daniel took the difficult parts of his personal journey turned them into something truly life-changing for so many. Daniel inspires me because he is an incredibly visionary leader with a tremendous heart to serve others.”
“Daniel has made serving others his life’s work. As a school board member, he will make decisions that are best for students, families, educators and communities!”
I fully endorse Daniel for School Board, District 3. While serving as a teacher and administrator in west Knox County for over 15 years, I have witnessed Daniel’s impact on our community through his relentless belief that EVERYONE deserves to be heard and understood. He has proven over and over again that he leads by serving others with nothing expected in return. Daniel’s willingness to find and implement solutions to our community’s toughest problems further exemplifies his dedication to Knoxville and its children. It is his integrity and selflessness that confidently assures me his tireless efforts will be FOR EVERY STUDENT!
“Daniel is an excellent example of a true servant leader with a focus and commitment to helping others and improving our community in a meaningful way. I believe Daniel will make a great Knox County School Board Member.”
I’m proud to call Daniel a friend and fellow supporter of students. He works and fights on behalf of kids of all backgrounds.
“I can’t imagine someone better prepared to help lead our schools. Daniel cares about our students, our teachers, and our administrators. He has a real empathy for the hardships more and more of our students are facing. I trust him be a listener and to care for all of our students in our schools!
“Daniel has already served children faithfully for years and we are fortunate that he is willing to work for 3rd district students alongside our dedicated teachers. He will be a great advocate for parents and taxpayers!”
Debbie Boles
Community Education Advocate