Our Team

Dear Lion Family,

It is both an honor and a privilege to continue serving the Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School community as Principal. With more than 14 years of service in the Oceanside Unified School District, I look forward to another great year to support our students alongside our dedicated staff, supportive families, and community.
 

At King Middle School, we are guided by our King Core Values: Kindness, Integrity, Generosity, and Never Give Up. These values are more than words - they shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire how we learn, lead, and serve one another each day. Whether it is showing kindness to a classmate, demonstrating integrity by making the right choice, giving generously of our time and talents, or persevering through challenges, we strive to model these values in every classroom, on every campus pathway, and throughout our community.

Our mascot, the Lion, represents strength, courage, and leadership. These qualities, combined with our King Core Values, inspire us to create a learning environment where every student feels safe, valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. As Brené Brown wrote, "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." This quote continues to remind me that leadership is demonstrated through our daily actions and our commitment to serving others.

As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities to continue building on our successes while embracing new possibilities for growth and innovation. Together, we will strengthen the King Pride by fostering meaningful relationships, celebrating student achievement, and ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

At Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, we are inspired by Dr. King's belief that each person has the power to make a positive difference through service, compassion, and courage. As a community, we are committed to living our values each day and preparing our students not only for academic success, but also to become thoughtful leaders and engaged citizens who make a meaningful impact on the world around them.

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. It is a privilege to serve this incredible community, and I look forward to another outstanding year of learning, growth, and celebrating our students together.

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