This week I sit down with Mrs. Courtney Davis, Tallmadge City Schools newly appointed Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Davis has been with Tallmadge for over a decade serving all of those years as principal of Tallmadge Elementary. Mrs. Davis knew she was called to be an educator from an early age. She was one of those future teachers who sat all of her stuffed animals up in her make believe classroom and taught them.
“Court,” as her friends call her, spends every moment she can with her family. She has been married to her college sweetheart, Jason, for 20 years! She has a daughter named Kendall, soon to be junior, and a son named Kaden, soon to be a freshman. Both of her kids attend Tallmadge High School. Priority number one in her and her husband's lives is family time.
Mrs. Davis is an inspiring leaders. Countless times throughout our conversation the role of relationships and a positive mindset came up. Relationships are key to being successful within education, and as a leader. Her favorite book is The Power of Positive Leadership by Jon Gordon. When asked why this is her favorite book she stated:
“Because it speaks to positive leadership not being about fake positivity-it’s about the real stuff that happens in the trenches everyday and the connecting and uniting people in the face of difficult situations.”
Connecting and staying positive are qualities that she demonstrates on a daily basis.
One of her most favorite quotes typifies her leadership philosophy:
“Being positive in a negative situation is not naïve, it’s leadership”
Gifford Thomas
Mrs. Davis has had a tremendous impact as the elementary principal. She takes great pride in inspiring students and watching them go on to succeed in whatever they choose to do. She cherished the opportunities to help them see their potential at a young age and foster that growth throughout their time at the elementary level.
When asked what she is most looking forward to this next year she said,
“I am definitely looking forward to embracing this new role as Director of Curriculum, and working with the amazing educators throughout the District to support student learning and growth.”
No doubt Tallmadge City Schools will be in good hands with Mrs. Davis leading as Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
To keep up with all that Mrs. Davis will be doing be sure to follow her on Twitter: @TallmadgeK5
