2004 Joan Goostree Stevens Award Winner - Cheryl Davis, M.A.
Adjunct Professor in Masters in Computer Education Program
Cheryl Davis began teaching at Fontbonne University in 1993. Besides teaching in the classroom and online, she also helps Fontbonne with the integration of technology into its curriculum.
Teaching is the only profession she ever wanted to pursue in life and that is quite evident when looking at her ability to educate. For Davis, teaching is more than a job, it is a lifestyle. “Teaching is the most noble and rewarding profession that there is. It is a way of giving of yourself to help others become all they can be,” Davis says. “I have always tried to encourage my students to become critical thinkers so they are able to make intelligent decisions in every aspect of their lives. I believe in a well-rounded education. The more you know about a variety of things, the more roads you will have to choose from when you are ready.”
This isn’t the first time Davis has been acknowledged for her success and abilities in education. She has received the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for the Hazelwood School district in 1996 and again for Fontbonne in 2004. She also was the Teacher of the Year at Hazelwood Central High School in 1996. For Davis, it’s not receiving these awards that make her truly proud, it is what these awards represent that bring a smile to her face. “To be recognized by students for good teaching is the ultimate accomplishment for a teacher. To know that my students feel that they have become better teachers and learners because of me makes me very happy,” she says.
Peter Abegg. one of Davis’s students who is also now a teacher, believes that Davis has made a lasting impact on him and his teaching. “Cheryl's teaching style exemplifies practical education. I truly value the knowledge that she has shared with me and know that my students benefit the most. Having Cheryl as an instructor has changed the way I teach...I am forever grateful for having learned from the best,” Abegg says. And while others continually benefit from what Davis has to offer education, she just continues to do what she loves the most, teach.
Biography compiled by Alex Cornwell, Public Relations Intern
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