Position: Office Manager
School: McCluer North High School
School District: Ferguson Florissant School District
City, State: Florissant , MO
Yolonda Davis was nominated by her colleague and two-time LifeChanger of the Year nominee, David Arledge.
As the current Support Staff of the Year winner for the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Yolonda Davis is a proven LifeChanger. Mrs. Davis makes a difference in the lives of students on a daily basis, and she does it with a smile, a laugh, and a huge heart. Many of the students who attend McCluer North High School are students who would normally be considered “at risk.” McCluer North High School's population is made up of approximately 1600 students, all who are able to receive free or reduced lunch. Many students come from single parent households where their parent is working multiple jobs in order to make ends meet, and many of them are helping raise younger siblings out of necessity.
Mrs. Davis has the ability to develop quality relationships with students and gets to know kids individually. Each day, she makes a difference because of the time she has committed to making quality relationships. Students go to her, share issues with her, trust her and seek advice. This not only changes the way that the students act, but the way staff react to issues. Mrs. Davis has been a driving force in helping facilitate a change in the school culture. She is a positive light in what might otherwise be a very dim outlook for many students
The school culture at McCluer North is that of a family. The teachers and staff have a bond, and they try to provide everything that kids need to be successful, both during and after high school. Mr. Arledge said that they call it "MN Strong." Mrs. Davis has been a strong force in changing the way that they do things at McCluer North. As the Office Manager, she is a part of the leadership team, and her input is not only valued, but integral to the strength of the school and the success of the students. Mrs. Davis embraces the utmost professionalism and adheres to the highest moral and ethical standards. She treats everyone with respect, regardless of whether they're a staff member, parent, student or the superintendent. Her mannerisms on the phone with parents are amazing, and she handles difficult situations with ease. One of her favorite quotes is, “Teamwork makes the Dream work,” and she lives this quote daily.
"Mrs. Davis is an amazing colleague and is an amazing member of the team. I would be on this phenomenal woman's team anywhere, anytime," Arledge said. "She makes everyone around her better and I am proud to call her not only a colleague, but a friend."