By PEGGY GEORGI
For the Reporter
“Honored and humbled” is how Julie Davis described her feelings after winning her bid for the Jackson Township seat on the Hamilton Heights School Board on Nov. 6. With this, Davis becomes the first teacher and the sixth woman to serve on the Hamilton Heights School Board since the corporation was formed in 1965. Davis will step into the seat held by Gwen Hunter since 2008.
“It was a good day and I was in good company,” said Julie Davis of David Martin and Beth Roberts (one of her favorite former students) who were also vying for the seat. “We all shared a similar vision in wanting to contribute our time and talent to the betterment of our school community.”
Davis said she was overwhelmed by the support of her children, colleagues, former students and community, which she has called home for nearly seven decades.
“As teachers, we have a solid understanding of the day-to-day operations of the classroom environment,” said Davis, who served as a teacher and department chair for more than 40 years.
Upon retirement she returned to serve as an instructional assistant, a role in which she will resign prior to her first official board meeting in January. “I believe a teacher’s knowledge and classroom experience will transfer smoothly to making thoughtful, supported decisions as a member of the school board.”
Davis’ depth of hands-on and engaged classroom experience will help provide a unique perspective and be an asset to the board in decisions that impact the school community.
“I have little doubt that Mrs. Davis will be a great asset to the HHSC Board of School Trustees,” said Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood. “Her passion for quality education has been evident to me since my brother and I were students of hers in the mid-1980s. She brings a depth of knowledge for quality teaching that will make a great board even better.”
Davis, who spent most of her career in education as an English teacher at Heights, worked with students of all levels of ability, interests and learning styles. Additionally, she has been actively involved in extracurricular activities (Drama, Husky News, Student Government), and has helped to develop programs at the state level (Indiana Online Writing Project, Model Classroom for Project SUCCESS) during her tenure. Project SUCCESS is a resource center that supports higher academic achievement for students with disabilities. In fact, Davis has been instrumental in Heights being among just seven model classrooms in the state as part of Project SUCCESS.
“We have a diverse student base with diverse needs,” she continued. “I know we can make the type of decisions that ensure we are helping students develop a skill set for success at the next level – college, trade school or the work force and to ultimately become productive citizens of society.”
A familiar name and face within the corporation, Davis, a member of the Hamilton Heights School Corporation Class of 1967, says she plans to spend a good deal of time at all the buildings, listening, learning and asking questions. Davis, who doesn’t take herself too seriously, knows there will be a learning curve. Known for being a hard worker, diligent and doing what it takes to get the job done, Davis is not just up for the challenge, she’s excited about it.