Spotlight: Anna Katherine Davis (MS '23)

Mississippi Milken Educator Anna Katherine Davis is a ninth through 12th grade math teacher at Houston High School. Always striving to grow and improve her instructional practices, she integrates technology into her curriculum whenever possible and consistently evolves to meet the needs of her students. “I know students will need technology to succeed in the real world, so I make sure to involve it every day in my classroom.” Anna Katherine Davis received a 2023-24 Mississippi Milken Educator Award on January 11, 2024.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise? 
 

My students still talk about it to this day. I am not sure if they fully understand the award. I think they just see the money that came with it. They ask me all the time if I am going to keep teaching after I received all this money. This even comes from students I’ve never taught.  

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator? Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped your practices or motivation to teach? 
 

My role models as an educator are my three math teachers from when I was in high school. These three teachers showed me what a good math classroom should look like every day. I still use concepts from what they taught me in high school. One experience from when I was a student was having the same expectations every day and working from bell to bell. We knew what to expect every day. I now use these same techniques in my own classroom. I believe that helps me be a stronger teacher because of the expectations I hold my students accountable for. After the first week of school, my students know what to do and not do when they walk in my room, and they know what we are doing the entire block. 

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. What memories stand out? Who or what helped you through it? 
 

When I think back on my first year of teaching, I wonder how I made it when I was only 22. Most of the students I taught at the time were already 17, 18, and even 19 years old. I remember being nervous the first week or two, then it just came naturally. I also was convinced that the students would not listen to me or believe anything that I was trying to teach them. My mentor teacher helped me through the first year. I stayed in her room during planning periods to make sure I was teaching the correct standards.  

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you? 
 

I hope they remember the math lessons I taught to help them in the next level whether it be college or the workforce. Also, I hope they remember how I made sure to teach them what they needed to know, plus showed them love at the same time. 

MFF: Technology plays a big role in your classroom and curriculum. Why do you place such an emphasis on technology in your approach to education, and how do you see these tools enhancing your students’ learning and growth? 
 

I know eventually they will need technology to succeed in the real world, so I make sure to involve it every day in my classroom. These students will know how to use technology when they go to college or the workforce just from things I do in my classroom. 

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers?  

If your dream has always been to become a teacher, do not let anyone persuade you not to do it. If you truly do your job, this can be the most rewarding career.