New school superintendent in Ferguson, Mo., started career in Wayne
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 8, 2015 1:50 AM
pmoore@newsargus.com
The new superintendent of schools in Ferguson, Mo., began his career in education in Wayne County.
Dr. Joseph Davis, a native of Wilson, was recently named chief administrator of the Ferguson-Florisssant School District. He will take over duties July 1.
The suburb of St. Louis came into prominence last year after Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black male, was fatally shot by a white police officer. The protests and riots that ensued sent ripple effects across the nation.
Davis, 45, is currently in his third year as superintendent of Washington County Schools in Plymouth. He recently signed a three-year contract with Ferguson-Florissant, with an initial annual salary of $200,000.
The district he will serve has more than 11,000 students in its 23 traditional schools plus an alternative school and an early education center, he said. At present, he oversees about 2,000 students in a district that has five traditional schools and an alternative program.
Patricia Burden, a member of the Wayne County Board of Education and retired principal, remembers Davis as a beginning teacher in 1993.
"I think I got him fresh out of college," she said. "He started his career in Wayne County Public Schools. He taught at Goldsboro Middle School. I was his first principal."
She recalls the former math teacher as being "an outstanding teacher."
"He was there three years," she said. "He was strongly motivated and had a love for children and loved his subject matter. He worked hard to make sure his students learned the material and showed a knowledge of the material."
She said David understood the value of education, particularly for black students, a standard that was obvious from his early years in the profession.
Davis recalled his time in Wayne County fondly, but admitted he had no idea it would lead to his going on to become a principal and superintendent.
"When I started teaching in Goldsboro, I absolutely loved teaching," he said, adding that the interest spilled over to service at church and in the community. "It just sort of evolved but I have had some great people along the way like Ms. Burden."
He said he had been blessed to have others encourage him to pursue the administrative role and it became a trajectory to where he now finds himself.
"I never had this as the ultimate goal," he said Wednesday. "I just wanted to help people.
"I was born to teach, born to do this work."
He said he has always had an interest in urban education and when the opportunity in Missouri arose, he decided to pursue it. He knew going in that with all the media attention to Ferguson, it would bring with it some unique challenges but continued to do his research.
"That's a great place," he discovered. "I saw the position as a great opportunity."
Davis' background and heart for black youth, especially males, are among the skills he believes will make him "a great match" in the new job.
"I had worked with at-youth risk for a long time," he said, dating back to when he worked in Wayne County.
He recalled setting up mentoring programs here and in other districts where he served, including the south side of Chicago, where he had been deputy chief of schools, comparable to an assistant superintendent.
"I think a big issue in this country has just manifested itself," he said. "Black males are typically the group that is at the bottom (in education).
"We know that there are issues all over this country. Parents want their children to have a high quality education. Look at the attention it's gotten from the media. I feel real strongly that I can be an asset."
He officially takes over the role in Ferguson July 1, but meanwhile is traveling back and forth to become more familiar with the district and his new responsibilities, he said.