Daryl Ward grew up in Florida and received his undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from Florida State University. Upon graduation, he began teaching high school English and writing courses, eventually going to graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. He taught in the public schools for fifteen years before moving into administration, becoming an assistant principal at a visual and performing arts high school in Polk County, Florida. After eight years as the assistant, he was appointed principal of the school in 2013. During his time as a school-based administrator, he continued his education, earning a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida in 2014. He is currently the president of the Florida Alliance for Arts Education and is the chair of the Exemplary Schools committee for the Art Schools Network. He serves as a consultant for the Florida Arts Model Schools program (through FAAE). He is a member of the Florida Association for School Administrators, Americans for the Arts, the Art Schools Network, and the Florida Alliance for Arts Education. Daryl is married to Julie, also a principal at an arts school, and they have two kids.