FMMS’ Davis named National Distinguished Principal

Special to the Journal

Feagin Mill Middle School principal Jesse Davis has been named Georgia’s 2013 National Distinguished Principal. The prestigious National Distinguished Principal (NDP) program is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Education. NDP honors exemplary elementary and middle-level principals who set the pace, character and quality of the education children receive during their early school years.

Recognition as a National Distinguished Principal is the highest praise a principal can receive from his peers in the profession. In October Davis has been invited to Washington, D.C. for a two-day event that will include a reception at the U.S. Department of State.

“School principals commit their professional lives to educational excellence and their personal lives to children,” said Gail Connelly, NAESP’s executive director. “They are uniquely dedicated public servants who rarely receive the kind of public recognition they deserve.”

Davis commented, “I was surprised and humbled to receive this recognition. I am excited to know that through this award, attention will be given to the great things that happen at Feagin Mill Middle School each and every day. Without a doubt I know that any recognition that I receive is simply due to my good fortune in serving as principal at such a great school. If you want to know about the great things happening at FMMS, just ask any of our stakeholders – parents, students, faculty or staff. They will tell you that ‘The Mill’ is a great place to be.”

A product of the Houston County School System, Davis attended Shirley Hills Elementary, Northside Junior High and Northside High, graduating in 1992. He earned a bachelor of science in psychology from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree in interrelated special education from Georgia College and State University and a specialist in educational leadership and supervision from Columbus State University.

Davis completed his doctorate degree in educational leadership through Georgia Southern University in 2006. He began his career in education as a special education teacher and coach. Prior to serving as principal at Feagin Mill Middle School, he served as assistant principal for instruction at the Houston County Crossroads Center as well as assistant principal at Feagin Mill Middle.

Davis is married to Michelle, a teacher in Houston County. They have two sons ­– Mattison and Jack. His interests include personal fitness and athletics at all levels of competition to include Georgia Southern University athletics.

Davis was nominated and selected to represent his district for the NDP award. District 11, consisting of Houston, Bibb, Peach, Crawford, Monroe and Jones Counties, submitted an application to a committee created by the GAESP. This committee then selected him as Georgia’s winner. Criteria require that the honorees be selected by their colleagues for achievements above and beyond those expected. In addition, one must: have been a principal for five years; maintain high expectations of students and staff; show evidence of outstanding contributions to school and profession; and be an established, respected member of the community.

Davis has enjoyed many accomplishments over the years, but the ones that particularly stood out to the committee were:

· Feagin Mill Middle had the most Master Teacher inductees for any school in the state;

· Feagin Mill Middle was awarded the Georgia Bronze Award in 2010 for excellence in student achievement; and

· he promotes shared leadership and reaps overwhelming support from parents, staff and the community.

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