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She’s a star! JU alum, teacher Brenda Davis spotlighted by Duval County Public Schools

Jacksonville University alumna Brenda Davis (bachelor of arts in elementary education, 2003) is spotlighted on the Duval County Public Schools website as a “Duval Star,” a feature that celebrates “the hard work, dedication and uniqueness of students, teachers and administrators who strive for excellence on a daily basis.”

Davis is a teacher of gifted students at Don Brewer Elementary School.

Here a Q&A with Davis on the Duval Schools website:

What/who influenced you to enter the education field? My father worked for the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. I loved walking though the museums and learning new things.

How long have you been teaching with the district? 11 years

What excites you about teaching? I love exciting the students. I do not believe learning should be boring but exciting because it gets the child’s attention.

What was your favorite subject in school? Science

What are your guiding principles as it relates to your profession? I believe each child is unique and understands giftedness. I also realize that gifted children are often overlooked in the system to learn on their own.

Nominated by: Parent Tessy Robbins

Here’s what Ms. Robbins has to say about Ms. Davis: Mrs. Davis is amazing. During the summer months, she travels to her mountain home. She asked several children in her classes to be her pen pal over the summer, and if they wrote her she took the time to write them special letters of encouragement and sent postcards encouraging them to research the area she was visiting. This was her vacation, and she took the time to stay in contact with her gifted children. She also took my daughter’s “Flat Ley” to Italy and took pictures of her in the Vatican and emailed them while she was away. This teacher really is amazing! We cannot say enough marvelous things about how she greets each child at their level and knows what they are researching.  She teaches over 100 gifted kids in kindergarten through fifth-grade each week, and each child leaves feeling special. She also works with homeroom teachers from several schools to ensure the children are getting differentiated work. She also backs the homeroom teacher with any behavior issues trying to get the child to learn respect and obedience. We love her!!! On top of all of this, she is the FCAT test coordinator. She excels in all areas!