What is your name? What role do you play in education? How long have you been in education? 

Rashaan Davis is currently a Teacher; however, recently received a promotion to be an Administrator. Rashaan has been a Teacher for twenty-four years and next year (his twenty-fifth year) will be his first year as an Administrator. 

Why do you think education is important? 

One thing that can never be taken from anyone, [especially people of color] is an education. Education is the gateway to being at the seat of a lot of decision making tables. It gives you your own independent worth and value. If you are going to get ahead in the world, education is the thing you need more than anything else. People play a crucial role as well, but at the end of the day it is what you know and what you are able to do with what you know that will truly get you through. 

What do you love most about your role in education? 

There are many things I love about being in education. I love getting up everyday knowing that it is another opportunity for me to help enlighten, guide, and train. I love being a part of a team that helps part of what we look forward to in the future, which is educated kids and a great world to live in. I take pride in knowing that I play an immediate role in my local area as it relates to education. I do not know that there is another career where you can leave everyday feeling like you really have made a difference in that day. That day turns into weeks, months, and years; which in turn can lead to a lifetime for some. 

What is the best advice you have received about impacting the education sector?

Be in it to win it! Ultimately we all should strive to be better and everything along the way in some way helps. Even when there were people who were getting on to me about things in a negative way, all of that was really helpful to get me to where I am. Pacing myself is also important. I am in this for the long haul and I think knowing that has been really helpful to me. Knowing that change does not happen in a day means that kids are not buying into me because of one unit or one lesson. Staff members are not asking to be a part of staff development because of something you did in one moment. They are looking at the sum total of you. That is when they get the best of me and that is why it is important to pace myself. It is a journey and a career. 

What advice would you give the younger generation about their education? 

Do your homework! So many of us got cheated in our formative years because we did not get to see all sides of any career. We see the parts we like and the part others think we should see. With education, people do not get to see what we experience every day. It is not all great but it is very good overall. If you follow the news, you see parts of education that people want you to see; however, there is much more to it. To be in the trenches of any career, especially education, is high stakes like no other. We are developing our future Politicians, Lawyers, Doctors, Librarians, even Postmen and women. People have to really dig into looking into education from all angles. It should never be about money because if you do good work, good money will follow. I firmly believe that if you take a deep look into what education offers us, our families, and the world; at every level it is a great career to pursue. This is what I would stress to the young people!  

Interview By Melvin Whipple

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Self Submission

I have spent the last 23 years as a classroom teacher. I have taught Social Studies classes (Macroeconomics, Sociology, World History, Economics, and Student Leadership). Beginning in 2020-2021, I will be serving as a Campus Administrator. Many of my duties will include mentoring teachers , evaluating staff, and supervising student activities/athletics. I am an educator because I look forward to making a difference in the lives of students, while supporting adults who are looking forward to doing the same. I want to be an agent of change and a role model to students who look like me. The best I can do in education is to be present for students each day and to lead by example, set a high standard, and to help new leaders to expand their leadership capacity.