Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Robert Davis II.
Hi Dr. Davis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
After graduating high school, I was uncertain about my future. As a first-generation college student, I first attended LeMoyne-Owen College on a scholarship where I began studying as a Pre-Pharmacy major. However, at the conclusion of my freshman year, I transferred to The University of Memphis to pursue the same career, yet I wanted a more diverse experience throughout my college years. At The University of Memphis, I met some of the greatest people and made some life-long connections that continue to shape my life today. While studying at Memphis, I joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, the greatest fraternity known to man. I became part of an organization that trained me for leadership in the real world. As I progressed throughout my college years, I started to wonder about my true purpose. I started to wonder about my true calling; however, I remained committed to becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy soon.
During my junior year, I took a class that required me to participate in a program called Junior Achievement. With this program, I had to pick up a clear bag full of materials and commit to teaching students in early grades about financial literacy. I was not too excited about having to go out to an elementary school, but little did I know, that experience would change my life forever. While participating in the Junior Achievement program, I was assigned to a third-grade class at Robert R. Church Elementary School. This school was fairly new and located in the neighborhood that raised me, Whitehaven. As a graduate of Hillcrest High School, I was excited about the opportunity to give back to my community by serving in that school environment. The first day I entered, I knew that was exactly where I should be. I first noticed there were hardly any men working in the school and how the young men would hold on to everything I did. The kids were so loving and very intelligent. Each visit was just an amazing experience and before finishing up on my last day, the supervising teacher who welcomed me into her classroom stated, “Son, you are a natural. These kids love you! You should give education a try”.
Over the next several days, I thought a lot and prayed about seeking the endeavor. The next week, I changed my major to Elementary Education. I finished with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Sociology before leaving the University of Memphis and going on to teach Special Education at an alternative high school in Memphis. I had some of the best years of my career during those first years of teaching while completing my Master of Arts in Special Education at Christian Brothers University. I later went right back to CBU to obtain my certification in Educational Leadership and later became a Professional Learning Coach at Ida B. Wells Academy. I then went on to serve as Assistant Principal at Oakhaven Middle School and then back to Ida B. Wells Academy to serve as Principal, where I served proudly for three years. During that time, I worked with several organizations to mentor and give back to the community in several ways. I was named Mentor of the Year in 2018 and Top 40 Under 40 of Urban Elite Professionals in Memphis. I participated in the Fast-Track program with Leadership Memphis and worked on multiple projects with Clean Memphis. I’m a proud alumnus of New Leaders for New Schools, and I’m looking forward to doing more work with a premier organization called Leaders for Educational Equity.
As my career continued to build momentum and my family was flourishing, in 2018, I began to work on my Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at The University of Mississippi where I performed extensive research on the middle to high school transition in high-poverty schools. During my time of study, I transitioned to serve as principal of Mt. Pisgah Middle School, where I served for 3 years throughout the pandemic. In 2021, I graduated from The University of Mississippi and went on to become the Director of Instructional Technology the following year. All of my educational experiences have come within Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Serving our inner-city youth has been very rewarding and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything! As my career continues to develop, I’m now working behind the scenes to author my first book and continue to build a legacy that can live on in my absence.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of my most challenging times came from my upbringing. Growing up in poverty is not an easy task. As I progressed in my K-12 years, I knew I wanted to attend college; however, neither of my parents finished high school. Therefore, going to college was something never discussed in my household. The primary topic was more about being old enough to work and help support the household. Little did I know, after researching, that the previously mentioned statement is very common when growing up in poverty. My oldest brother went on to pursue post-secondary education by acquiring his Commercial Driver’s License and my oldest sister attended a community college briefly before jumping into the workforce. Although they did not attend 4-year universities, they were great examples of what it means to put your mind to something and achieve your goals. I watched them progress through life and achieve things I couldn’t imagine as a kid. Watching their grind and watching my mom work two jobs most of my life to take care of her household, I knew I had to make some sacrifices to be successful and make her proud. At 21 years of age, I had my daughter, everything became more difficult. I was then in school full-time and working full-time to make ends meet. All the struggles I watched my mom go through and the struggles I experienced helped shape me into the man I’ve become today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Outside of working as the Director of Instructional Technology for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, I genuinely enjoy writing. I have a particular interest in developing leaders, leadership coaching, and building a positive workplace culture. Performing research in my field and in others helps me to remain well-informed and well-versed in life. One of my favorite leadership books is “How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge” by Clay Scroggins. The book is such a great read and helps you understand how to leverage your influence when you lack authority. One of my mentors always told me, “A title is simply authority. However, influence is power.” Those words were spoken by a true servant leader. With instructional technology, I’m creating and learning new ways to deliver instruction in classrooms with a fantastic team. Creating high-quality professional learning experiences and coaching leaders through the process is nice, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing students explore technology in ways that I never imagined. As I continue this journey and look to progress in future roles, I’m learning how to leverage artificial intelligence more and more each day. Many are so worried about AI replacing humans; however, it’s not AI that will replace humans. It’s people who know and understand how to leverage AI that will replace other humans.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
I’ve been blessed to have several mentors; however, none of them played a larger role in guiding me through life like my mother. Seeing her work two jobs daily, take care of her home, and find time to love her kids is invaluable. My mother has been a rockstar all of my life and deserves her flowers now. Seeing her study and pass her GED exam when I was a kid so she could make life better for us makes me emotional every time I think about it. I’ve never seen a harder working or loving person in all my years of life. My mother, Earlean Davis, is so deserving to be praised and I’m so thankful that God allowed me to be birthed, loved, and supported by such an amazing woman. Life has taught me to “Never be afraid to fail. For he who has never failed, has never tried.” These are words I will continue to live by daily.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/DrRLDavis
- Twitter: @DrRLDavis
