Alvin Davis is Broward’s Teacher of the Year

A Miramar High School music teacher who pushes his students to succeed academically has been named one of four finalists for 2012 National Teacher of the Year.

Alvin Davis, 35, will find out in April if he receives the prestigious prize. It’s the latest in a string of accolades for the 11-year teacher. He also is the county and state’s Teacher of the Year.

“I’m grateful and I’m honored,” Davis said Thursday at a press conference at Miramar High, where he was surrounded by his students, other teachers and district administrators.

“When it’s done right, no matter where it is, it works, it works, it works,” he said of teaching.

Davis is known for pushing his students in both music and academics, requiring them to take college-entrance exams and prove they have applied to a university. He personally reviews their report cards and includes study hall in his band rehearsals.

For the past three years, every student who was a regular member of the Miramar High band program has gone to college, according to the Broward School District.

“It’s through his love of music that he’s taught his students to love learning,” said School Board member Patricia Good.

Students said it’s the way Davis connects with them that makes the difference.

Enmanuel Trabal, 18, credited Davis with helping him get into Florida International University and Florida A&M University. He said Davis also taught him about pride and leadership, and was there for him when, as a freshman, his grandmother died.

“He has guided me through a lot of troubles,” he said.

Robert Gallimore, 17, described Davis as a “role model” who made students feel like teaching was more than a job.

“He’s like one of the best teachers a person could ask for, honestly,” he said.

Superintendent Robert Runcie said it was fitting that Davis comes from Miramar High, which he said sets a standard for urban schools. The A-rated school graduates more than 90 percent of its students and was ranked in the top 100 schools nationwide for the performance of its black students on Advanced Placement exams.

Yet 67 percent of students at the school are on subsidized lunch.

“At the end of the day, it’s building hopes and dreams for our students and their families,” he said.

Principal Brian Faso said the secret to the school’s success is that teachers and staff members “really, truly care about kids.”

“Mr. Davis, he exemplifies that,” he said. “That’s what makes him special.”

Davis, who grew up in Chicago, has been married for 10 years to Tiffani Davis. The couple has a 21-month-old daughter, Caitlyn.

He said his second-grade teacher motivated him to become involved in music.

“He saw something in me and he got me into music,” he said of the teacher, whom he still corresponds with through Facebook.

The national award, by the Council of Chief State School Officers, is given to teachers who already have earned recognition as a state Teacher of the Year. Finalists also are chosen from the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense’s overseas teachers and four extra-state jurisdictions.

This is the third year in a row that Florida has had a national finalist. Other national finalists came from Alabama, California and the Department of Defense.

cdfitzpatrick@tribune.com, 954-356-4527, Twitter @Fitz_ly

Read this and more Florida news here:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-teacher-of-the-year-broward-20120119,0,6179928.story

Fla Gov. Scott Calls for $1Billion Education Increase

Governor Rick Scott came into office promising budget cuts and cuts to government spending. He cut funding for schools, forced teachers and union workers to pay more for their pensions, privatized prisons, made it difficult to register voters and shortened the voting period, told welfare recipients to pee in a cup to prove they weren’t on drugs, and signed bills meant to separate women from medical care they need.

Rick Scott has seen his popularity drop ever since he took office. According to the latest Quinnipiac poll he is one of the least popular governors in the United States with an approval rating of 38 percent and a disapproval rating of 50 percent.

On Tuesday’s State of the State speech Gov. Scott tried to appear more cooperative, stating, “Let’s get to work – together.”  

“I look forward to working with you to closely look at our higher education system,” the governor said, “to understand how we can ensure that in the future, job creators from around the world will have to look to Florida to find the talented and educated workforce they will need to compete in the 21st century.” 

The Republican governor touted that his new budget includes $1 billion more for schools. An about-face to his $1.3 billion school budget cut last year.

Scott said his three biggest goals as governor are to ensure that people have jobs, access to a quality education and low-cost living.

“Floridians truly believe that support for education is the most significant thing we can do to ensure both short-term job growth and long-term economic prosperity for our state,” Scott said. “And you know what? They are right!”

Gone was the talk of radical-partisan overhauling of state programs.

“Know that I’m open to any idea, from whatever source, that is likely to improve the lives of Floridians,” Scott said. “No person, profession, or party has a monopoly on all the good ideas.”

Read more here: http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-ft-myers/rick-scott-changes-tone-for-2012-state-of-the-state