WEST POINT — Dr. Cathy Davis will begin her new position as Oak Hill Academy’s headmaster June 8, Oak Hill board president Gene Childress announced Monday. She succeeds Yandell Harris who is returning to coaching at Heritage Academy.
Davis is a 28-year veteran of the classroom and administrative offices, serving the last three years as Supervising Principal at Wayne County High School, where she oversees a faculty and staff of 120 and more than 1,000 students.
Davis began her career as a mathematics teacher. In addition to mathematics, she has taught business, computer and technology courses on the middle, high school, and college levels. She has also coached middle and high school girls’ softball and basketball.
Prior to her Wayne County position, Davis worked at Mississippi State University as Coordinator of Leadership and Workforce Development at the Research and Curriculum Unit, where she worked on various projects including dual credit, adult high school, early college and career academies. She was heavily involved in the statewide Pathways to Success training and development of materials and resources for administrators, teachers and counselors.
A native of Webster County, Davis is moving to West Point to be near family. Having spent her career in large public schools, colleges and universities, Davis is looking forward to working in a smaller environment. “I’m looking forward to really getting to know all the students, knowing their names. When you have over 1,000 students, usually you only get to know the students who really stand out, win a lot of awards, or who cause trouble,” Davis said. “It’s hard to get to know the kids in the middle, and I want to do that.”
She will spend some time on Oak Hill’s campus over the next two weeks, prior to summer vacation, “to get the feel of the campus and get familiar with the routine. I’m ready to meet the faculty and staff. I’ve heard such good things about them,” she added.
During the summer, she plans to listen. Listen to teachers, faculty and even students. “I want to hear their ideas,” she said.
Davis sees her job as working with teachers to prepare students for college, careers and life. “We have to prepare students for jobs that do not even exist at this time; technology is changing so fast. There is so much emphasis on STEM–science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills. Most jobs require these, but at the same time, students must be excellent communicators, so language skills are vital,” she said.
Oak Hill board president Gene Childress was pleased with the quality of applicants and happy that the board was able to hire someone with Davis’s credentials so quickly after Harris’s announcement.
“Dr. Davis brings many years experience and a proven track record of success in the field of education.
We are confident that Dr. Davis will be an excellent headmaster and a strong asset for Oak Hill Academy,” said Childress.
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