Shannon Davis, Neelyville High School Teacher of the Year for 2022, began her teaching career with the Neelyville school district 28 years ago.
It was in the fall of 1992 and she was hired as a paraprofessional for kindergarten and special education.
Davis has worn many hats during her time since, but stated she is now, “back full circle” working with sixth-grade students as the JAG specialist. It’s where she hopes to remain until she retires.
A graduate of Neelyville High School herself, Davis received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 1992 and went on to achieve her masters’s degree in the same field in 2000.
Davis is active not only in the school, but she is also a member of the praise and worship team for the Palace of Praise, the Missouri Teachers Association, as well as the Classroom Teachers Association.
Davis said she is also very involved with her family and is a “huge family lady, they are my world.”
When asked what her favorite activity to do with students was, Davis said, “Icebreakers!”
She begins each day with two icebreaker questions for her students. “It gets them involved, gives them time to share daily and has helped many students overcome their shyness and begin to branch out,” she said.
Colleague and high school counselor Julie Cloud said, “She is a dynamic teacher. It does not matter what the content is, she can truly teach anything. Her gift is teaching.”
Davis said the current generation encounters pressures she never faced in high school.
“I do my best to put a positive spin on whatever they are going through. I have many students who come and share things with me privately on their lunch break, between classes and sometimes just by just asking if they can talk to me in the hallway,” said Davis. “I try to motivate them to stay positive, find the good in whatever they are going through and just show them love.
“So many students just need to feel loved and cared for by their educators.”
This is part of a continuing story highlighting outstanding educators in the region.