Bryan Davis: Northwest Learning Community Teacher Assistant Of The Year

Charlotte NC

06 May, 2021

1:45 PM

Description

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 5/5/2021 Bryan Davis wears many hats. He is a teacher assistant at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology, an FA Sergeant in the North Carolina National Guard and a track and field coach at Harding University High. In each role, he strives for excellence. For him, excellence does not mean the absence of failure. "My favorite part of this profession is understanding and teaching students that failure is natural. It is how you respond to your failures that determine an outcome. Many of my students face challenges, so allowing them to fail is where I come in to guide them through it," said Davis. Davis' military training has given him the skill to adapt to real-world situations. In 2012, he started coaching track and field at Phillip O. Berry. He enlisted in the National Guard in 2013, with deployments in 2015 and 2019. Davis had to adjust quickly to his new circumstances. He returned to the classroom in 2020. Davis said the administration made his transition comfortable and is thankful for their support. On the day Davis found out he was the Northwest Learning Community Teacher Assistant of the Year, he thought he was in trouble. All my administration was moving around outside my classroom. They grabbed one of my students, and I was asked to stay in my room. At that point, I thought, 'This can't be good,' but it was better than good. They announced I was a TA finalist," said Davis. "I still have not celebrated because I felt like this is where I needed to be, and I don't do this work for recognition. This is the first time I can say, 'It's rewarding knowing all my hard work is paying off.'" Teacher lead Kimberly Bender said there is a quote by Maya Angelou that sums up Davis: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." "He never meets a stranger. He embraces you with his wit and makes you feel a part of the room. As a serviceman in the Army, he stands proud and strong in the classroom. We are glad to be a part of his life," said Bender. Davis is trading one hat for another. He is currently working toward his teacher certification. "Before I became an educator, I was a college student looking for an opportunity to create change in the world. It was God and faith that led me to this moment in my life," said Davis. "I create an environment and energy that helps students know I am here for them. Everyone needs that person you can go to when you feel no one is listening. My purpose is to provide that love and support for everyone, regardless of their ethnic and cultural background." This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.