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How to be a Trail Blazer

Presentation Abstract

Have you ever wondered what it takes to establish athletic trainers in a novel arena? Ellie Daniels will be sharing her story of how she has been working to get athletic trainers in the DoDEA system over the last several years, and the path (or lack thereof) that she has taken along the way.

Presenter BIO

Ellie Daniels' passion for athletic training and the military has been strong since even before starting her MS in Athletic Training through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007. Since her graduation in 2009, she has worked in a Basic Training unit in Ft. Jackson, a Warrior Transition Unit in Germany, an Army clinic Physical Therapy department in Germany, and a high school in El Paso, giving her the experience to talk at length in acronyms and medical jargon in almost any situation and population. Her long-term focus is working with the Department of Defense Education Activities (DoDEA) to show the value of athletic trainers in a high school environment with the hopes of eventually creating a paid AT position within every overseas DoDEA high school. 

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Ellie also has a bachelor's degree in Psychology through the University of San Diego and a Master's degree in Teaching with a certificate to teach Biology through the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is currently the AFATS President-Elect and also serves on the NATA's international Committee. 

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Off the field, Ellie enjoys creating memories with her husband Kirk, snuggling with her cat (and husband), and putting as many plants and flowers in her home as possible. She and her husband are currently stationed in Belgium and are looking forward to travel adventures when the pandemic finally allows. 

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