“I had a student who felt he was going to be nothing. I didn’t want him to feel that way as a ninth-grader. It was important to me that he had something to speak over himself every single day.”
This practice is part of what earned Davis the honor of being named Teacher of the Year by Durham Public Schools.
Davis teaches English and refers to herself as Professor Davis. Her class is “Village University,” a place where she creates a culture of confidence that inspires students to dream big and prepare for college. “In here, we respect each other and love each other authentically. Everyone is accepted here.”
Being named Teacher of the Year was somewhat of a shock because teaching was a career she never saw for herself. She was slated to continue the family legacy of joining the military but went into education instead. She has been teaching for almost 10 years.
“I just knew once I graduated college I would join the military and become a JAG officer, but that wasn’t my purpose. After I substituted, I fell in love with it.”
One of her students said of her, “She’s really creative and tries to engage every student. To me, she’s like a second mom. She does a lot for me and we’re really close to her.”
