Our Team

Dearest Lion Family,

It is with great honor that I have the privilege of serving you as the Principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. I come to you with over 13 years of service in the Oceanside Unified School District. I have been witness to the great accomplishments of King Middle School as a result of the dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students, and the incredible support of our community.

Our mascot, the Lion, embodies the values of strength, courage, and leadership. These virtues are not exclusively aspirations for our students—they define who we are as educators and mentors. Brené Brown eloquently stated, "Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them." I am committed to walking in step with these virtues in support of all students who are part of the King Pride.

Together, we will build upon the achievements of King Middle School, striving for greater heights and nurturing a spirit of inclusivity and kindness. I believe that together we can continue to ensure that King Middle School is a place where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. I am eager and optimistic about the opportunities ahead.

I truly look forward to personally meeting you and celebrating our successes together.

Warm regards,
Natalie Daniels
Principal
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Hello MLK Middle Community,

My name is Emily Sullivan Rae, and I am very excited to serve as your Assistant Principal for the remainder of the school year. I was born and raised in Oceanside, attending both Palmquist Elementary and El Camino High School. After graduation, I attended the University of California, San Diego for both my undergraduate studies and graduate work in teaching. I have been an educator since 2010, with twelve years in Oceanside Unified. I have taught all grades from kindergarten through seventh in some capacity, and most recently, I served in OUSD’s Curriculum and Instruction Department as a Teacher on Special Assignment.

My philosophy on education is that every child must feel safe and cared for in order to reach their full potential. As a classroom teacher, I prioritized building security and connectedness with my students. I am a firm believer in ensuring trust with students, families, community members, and staff through embracing diversity and ensuring inclusion of all students.

I understand that Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School is a unique and special place. I am excited to learn about our staff, students, and family-caregivers’ cultures and traditions. Most importantly, you should know that I am committed to making Oceanside a welcoming district that puts students first. That is why I continue to choose it as my home, workplace, and the community where my own children attend school. Thank you for the opportunity to support MLK—I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,
Emily Sullivan Rae
Assistant Principal
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Dear Lion Families,

I feel very fortunate to have the privilege of serving our amazing community as your Assistant
Principal. I have been an educator in K-8 for 25 years in the Oceanside Unified School District.
I have seen first hand the amazing talents, dedication, and academic excellence of our scholars
over the past 8 years and am looking forward to a great 2025-2026 school year. I believe every
student can learn and it is our responsibility to provide the appropriate support so your child can
thrive in their academic, social, and emotional growth in middle school.
I will work hard to have all students feel safe, connected, and valued. I can be contacted at 760-
901-8800 if a parent or caregiver needs support whose child’s last name is M-Z.
 

Sincerely,
Jonathan Stone
Assistant Principal
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School