SPOTLIGHT ON RETIREE SONJA DAVIS

With medals in hand, Sonja L. Davis honored the most avid reader in her Language Arts class and the top five Language Arts students on May 24, the last day of school at Jackson Middle School. Factored into the recognition of high achievement is the demonstrated love for the subject as well.

"Not every writing project is suited to every student," says Davis. "When they zero in on the project that fits right, students discover the rewards of writing."

Davis, a teacher of Language Arts at JMS has retired after a career of 30 years. Twenty-four of those years have been in the Jackson School District and the remainder in Scott City, Mo., and Johnson City, Tenn.

It all began in 1972 when Davis was hired at Jackson's junior high school after student teaching there. A short time afterward, life's journey took her away from Jackson -- still to teach, but in other places. It was in 1980 when four Jackson High School Language Arts teachers left and Davis was hired on.

For the first seven years Davis was very involved as drama club director in addition to teaching Language Arts. "We had some awesome sets," remarks Davis.

The latter 12 years at JHS were spent as assistant to the speech and debate team, (headed by Karen Kight) and of course, teaching Language Arts.

It was in 1984 when the need for a strong writing program was addressed. Along with Christine Warren (an inspiration to Davis), Davis co-wrote a grant which would train teachers to teach writing as a process, a tool that would enable students to be prepared for college writing. Although the College Writing class at JHS follows a tough curriculum, it offers a very important tool for potential college students. Through Davis' and other JHS teachers' nurturing and implementation, this class is a proud accomplishment offered to students at JHS.

Another item of major significance achieved at JHS is introduced through a letter a former student has written. It is somewhat of a thank-you letter for helping the former student to express her feelings on paper. The former student explains how an assignment given by Davis helped her to identify, sort through and gain the respect and support of her peers during an emotional time in her life. This is one of the things that has made teaching a meaningful experience.

"In teaching young adults how to write, I've become a good writer. I don't think I would have been able to attain a master's degree without their help," says Davis. She has received the recognition of being published and shares how writing has helped her through some tough times in her life like working through grief.

Several times, knowing retirement would soon be in the future, Davis sought employment at JMS. Davis persevered because she knew the particular expertise in young adult novels she'd acquired would benefit these students. In addition to teaching, Davis went to seminars, finding the power of the novel very intriguing.

"One of the most rewarding experiences here at the middle school," says Davis, "is students discovering they love to read."

One of the keys to achieving such a goal is putting the right book in the right hands, in order to help students grow and mature. Davis does a lot of research by actually reading, depending on research people with credibility and finding out which books win awards. She then reads tidbits from appropriate novels in her classroom in order to spark the interest of her students.

"Before you know it, they're passing a waiting list around," says Davis. The effort is well worth it with rewards that are tenfold when a young adult comes to discover their love for reading.

Davis will continue to teach. About two weeks after turning in her retirement at JMS, Davis got a call from Southeast Missouri State University with an offer to teach Children's Literature and Young Adult Literature. Davis anticipates employment there where she is not facing the demands of a 55-hour work week.