Posted on 03/01/2007 1:05:52 PM PST by Islander7
Known as Dr. D, Principal Scherrine Davenport is loved by students and teachers at Ocean Springs Middle School. For proof, just follow her around the hallways and listen to what people are saying.
"She is fun and energetic," Kathryn Bezue said.
"When you are around her, you do not have to be shy," student Steven Enguin said.
"She is one of my best friends," student Kendra Stafford said.
"She is a breath of fresh air," teacher John Ross said.
Born and raised in Gulfport, Dr. Davenport always knew she wanted to make a difference. But it wasn't until she got the chance to watch her mother teach that she made her career choice.
"From that point on, it was always a goal of mine to be at least a teacher in the Ocean Springs School District," Dr. Scherrine Davenport said.
So for the next few years, she pushed herself. She maintained a 4.0 grade point average in school and later earned Master and Doctorate degrees in college. But that was just the start of her journey.
"I taught in the Biloxi School District for eight years, then I went to Alabama for six years where I was an assistant principal, then a principal."
"Upon coming to Ocean Springs, I was assistant principal at the high school and now a principal at the middle school."
With that appointment as principal, history was made in Ocean Springs.
"I can not begin to tell you what kind of joy went through my heart."
While Dr. Davenport says it feels great being the first African-American principal in the Ocean Springs School District, she says if feels even better to inspire young people, and teach them they can do anything they put their minds to.
"Burn those calories, work and you can have everything you want," Dr. Scherrine Davenport said.
To help get students on that road to success, Davenport started an academic program to reward students who have make good grades.
"We pick 14 names after report cards, and all those kids will take a limo ride to the mall, skip school for half a day. We are going to have a good time," Davenport said.
"Children now are much smarter now. So if I can do it, they can do it."
Dr. Davenport was also the first African-American principal in the Baldwin County School District in Alabama. She says her next goal is to become a superintendent, but for now she's happy in Ocean Springs.
By Patrice Clark
My principle and vice principle put the fear of God in us just by walking in the room.
But this story just makes me feel all warm a fuzzy inside. Lets all have a group hug.
Dr. Davenport has a wonderful reputation here along the coast, well respected....
I am happy to see a local lady is involved to make a positive impact. What the article did not say is the school is about 89% white and she is still respected and valued. We have come a long way.
The man who was my kids' high school's principal for about 10 years is black. The school is about 97% white/hispanic. He was lauded as being one of the best principals it ever had, and the test scores and other metrics are well above state average.
A very long way..thankfully.
My kids went to that school...My youngest daughter LOVED this woman, She really has a great raport with the kids but she's no push over!!!!!
It isn't politically correct to say so, but back when Black kids went to Black schools with Black principals and teachers, they came out well educated and well behaved.
I was fortuate enough to have several of those old style teachers at my high school after integration. I respected them all. The white administrators weren't able to maintain order, however.
I wish I could skip to the day no one finds a need to write an article based on such a novelty premise ever again.
Despite her impressive resume, she's being judged on the color of her skin. It's sickening.
Do you think it's because the black kids didn't respect the white administrators?
I wasn't around in those transitory days but it sure seems like a lack of respect is a core issue at hand in today's schools.
That only happened after the white administrators made it clear that they wouldn't require respect.
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