Special Education Teacher Shannon Davis greatly influences her students and coworkers, and everyone enjoys her positive attitude and for always smiling.
Davis is a caring teacher who always attends to her students’ needs. She is very calm and understanding and is always there to lend a helping hand to everyone who needs it.
Senior Mike Mingle thinks very highly of Mrs.Davis. “Mrs.Davis is the greatest teaher of all time,” said Mingle. She is also one of the coaches for Tyrone’s Unified Bocce team. Freshman Cooper Spicer, a member of the bocce team, appreciates Davis’s leadership on the Bocce team. “She is an excellent coach who motivates the players to do their best,” said Spicer.
EE: What inspired you to go into teaching and/or choose the subject you teach?
SD: I knew I always wanted to do something with kids. I remember a time when I struggled in school and it was my teachers helped get me through that time and believed in me. I always wanted to pass that along in hopes that I could be that person who helps students and teaches them to believe in themselves.
EE: What is your favorite thing about teaching?
SD: My favorite thing about teaching is watching the students all grow academically, personally, and socially. Everyone takes their own time and everyone’s path may not always be the same, and that’s okay! We are like a family in my classroom and celebrate everyone’s achievements whether big or small!
EE: What are some of your hobbies and interests?
SD: I enjoy spending time with my kids and watching them do their favorite sports and activities. I also have a one-year-old that keeps me pretty busy! This year, I also started coaching Bocce Ball!
EE: What is some good advice you’ve been given as a teacher?
SD: Every kid deserves at least one person in their life who thinks they are amazing, so why not be that person?
EE: What is the hardest part of teaching and why?
SD: The hardest part of teaching is to not take things personally. When a student has a bad day or something doesn’t go as planned, it’s hard to not go home and think about it. This is one job where we don’t leave at 3 and the day is over. I am constantly thinking about my students and how I can better prepare them for their future and if I helped them the best I could.
EE: What are some of the jobs you held before getting into teaching?
SD: I worked at Applebee’s. There I realized there was no way that I ever wanted to go into food service. I also babysat a lot and worked for America Reads at Penn State Altoona. It was then, that I realized I wanted to be a Special Education teacher. I helped in classrooms and worked with the students who needed a little extra help. I still remember the “aha moment” when I realized that this was what I wanted to do.
EE: What is your best advice to students?
SD: To be yourself, find something you enjoy, and find happiness every day!
