Mary Davis honored as state’s ‘High School Theatre Teacher of the Year’

MADISON – Mary Davis has been honored as the state’s “2024 High School Theatre Teacher of the Year” by the Alabama Conference of Theatre.

“I’m really thankful to have received this incredible honor,” Davis said. Two directors in Alabama — a former student and a colleague – nominated Davis.

“Mary Davis works for every student and teacher in the state . . . not just her district. She maintains a level of excellence that few programs can replicate. Her school has won Southeastern Theatre Conference more times than any Alabama school,” according to one nomination.

The other nomination stated Mary Davis is deserving for “unwavering dedication to nurturing creativity, confidence and collaboration among students and fellow educators. Her exceptional talent for connecting with people ensures every student feels valued.”

Davis has taught theatre classes at Bob Jones High School for 20 years.

After four years at Buckhorn High School, Davis started working at Bob Jones in 2005. “Dwayne Craft was looking for a new partner for the theatre department,” Davis said. “He convinced me to leave my own program at Buckhorn to partner with him.”

“It’s the best decision I’ve made as an educator. I live in Madison City, so pouring into students who live in the same community as I do has always made sense,” Davis said.

Davis endorses a teaching philosophy that is blended and flexible. “I always want my classroom to be a safe place where students feel comfortable being themselves, a place where they’re encouraged to create and perform, and, more than anything, I want my classroom to be a place where they feel loved.”

“Teaching has always been a calling, and the school has always been my mission field,” Davis said. “I’m called to love these kids, and I’m grateful because loving them is (almost always) easy.”

She respects a schedule but recognizes the importance of flexibility when the circumstance calls. Davis expects excellence but meets students “where they are. ‘Excellence’ looks different for everyone. To me, achieving excellence means doing their very best and working to reach individual potential.”

“I’m a teacher of life skills. I tell my students that the difference between a cubicle and a corner office with a view can be determined by communicating effectively with confidence, working cooperatively and thinking critically and creatively,” Davis said. “Students learn these vital ‘soft skills’ and much more in a theatre class.”

“Being a ‘theatre kid’ means they’re given tools to succeed in any career field. They form lifelong friendships . . . have fun while learning life skills,” she said.

During/after class or years later, “it’s always so cool when a student tells me that theatre helped them find/feel successful,” Davis said. Confidence in an interview and landing the job, winning a medal/ trophy that seemed impossible or staying in school because of drama class . . . “All those things remind me that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in English/language arts at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “My father was in the Army, so I moved all over the place,” she said.

Living in Georgia, Davis realized she loved dance. “My teacher, April Storm, truly poured into me. By middle school, I was spending more time at the dance studio than at home,” she said. “As a theatre teacher, I use my knowledge of choreography, stage pictures and rhythm in every play.”

While living in Hawaii, Davis discovered her love of musical theatre. “My director, Ron Bright, gave so much love, light and joy to theatre students,” Davis said. “I’ve always wanted that kind of positive influence on my students’ lives.”

“I moved from Hawaii to Alabama the summer before my senior year of high school. I attended Huntsville High School for my senior year. Three years later, I married my high school sweetheart, Bill,” she said.

Their children are Serena, 23, and husband Lucas living in Illinois; Katie Beth, 21, and husband Graham of Madison; Joe, a senior; and Bella Rose, a junior. The Davis siblings attended (or are attending) Columbia Elementary School, Discovery Middle School and Bob Jones.