Tricia Davis, a teacher at MNO Grant Elementary School within the Antioch Unified School District, was recognized this past weekend as California’s Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign War.
Davis, who began teaching in 1969, is currently in her first year at MNO Grant Elementary School where she teaches 6th grade Math/Science. She has spent 19-years with the Antioch Unified School District. She was chosen for this prestigious honor out of a pool of candidates for her dedication to teaching about patriotism in the classroom.
Davis says she was nominated by the VFW Post in Concord which honored her with a dinner over the weekend. It was then announced she was the statewide winner.
“This past Saturday night, I thought I was at a dinner thinking it was for district level, it was a shock at the dinner that I had actually won at the state level. My husband and daughter knew, they are not good at secrets and they kept it quiet,” explained Davis. “Its a good thing I am not on social media often because everyone else knew.”
Davis called it an honor to be recognized by the Veterans saying the State Commander showed up at the dinner along with the President of the State Auxiliary came from Los Angeles.
“The women who presented the award said there are 80,000 members of the state and 20,000 Auxiliary. That is 100,000 people who can nominate and you won. They value education so much and appreciate what teachers will do with flag etiquette,” explained Davis. “That put things in perspective. For people who gave so much of themselves to be nominated by them means something. I am honored.”
For Veterans, she says she teaches her students the meaning of it the flag while they wrote what she said were beautiful letters to veterans that were later shared at the Concord VFW. She also noted given the current flag controversy in sports, her students state the pledge everyday and respect it.
Although she teaches students about patriotism and the flag, she says her real love is teaching youths about the environment and what they can do to make the world a cleaner and better place.
“I found out about a service learning project through Monterey Bay Aquarium, so I started a save the ocean one bottle at a time club—I did a lesson for the leadership students at Black Diamond Middle School about the effects of the single use bottles and how it effects the oceans. They in turn did an assembly for students in 6th, 7th grader, 8th graders. At that point they then started after school collecting the water bottles,” explained Davis. “We got the Water District involved and they donated 250 reusable water bottles and able to get recycling bins. Throughout the year we would collect the bottles and count them. In the process I’ve been able to take 45-students to the aquarium and to the San Francisco Exploratorium to study about the rising sea levels and salinity in the ocean.
Davis further highlighted that although students are young, they can make a difference in the world when it comes to the environment.
“When I went down to Monterey, the keynote speaker were two girls that were 13-years-old and were from India. They started the thing about not using plastic bags and look where that debate is now,” says Davis. “They have made an impression worldwide about banning plastic bags. My students were so impressed.”
She further highlighted that a 11-year-old from North Dakota walked from her home state to Washington DC in protest of the pipeline.
“The whole thing is water quality for life. We take water for granted, we have to start doing something about it. We can’t continue to take it for granted,” said Davis. “The kids are receptive, I even went to drinking out of a metal or bamboo straw. I also got 250 reusable water bottles for black diamond. I’d like to get those refillable stations to place them in the school. If I get the national award, that is what I plan to do.”
Davis further highlighted that although she has been teaching since 1969, she still loves teaching and shaping the minds of youths saying this recognition inspires her to do even more in terms of patriotism and educating her students on environmental issues.
Her advice to students and adults comes from a trip last year while visiting Mount Kilauea in Hawaii:
Advice from a Volcano
Stay active
Keep your inner fire burning
It’s OK to let off steam
Go with the flow
Have a blast!
“I think this advice is good for children and adults. A student asked me last year when I was going to retire. I responded, When my inner fire stops burning. I am thankful that I am beginning my 43rd of teaching at MNO Grant and I love to hear about the wonderful things that some of my former students are doing. I want to thank my husband and all veterans for their service and I was so honored to be recognized with this award,” said Davis.
Janeen Zuniga, Principal says this honor is special to both the school and school district.
“It is very meaningful to MNO Grant because we are highlight our countries public education and due to that we should honor our country which we honor our flag every day. Ms. Davis being honored for teaching patriotism and honoring her country through her classroom curriculum is very meaningful to us,” explained Zuniga. “The VFW have provided classrooms with flags and flag ceremonies for our school on a regular basis. We love and appreciate working with our local veterans.”
Principal Zuniga also noted how positive Ms. Davis is on campus and how much she cares for her students.
“She is a very positive and a compassionate educator. Students love her because she cares about their needs and teaches them to respect education. She teaches children to take control of their environment which is one of the projects look at for the award,” said Zuniga. “I was happy to see her receive this honor.”
Antioch Unified School District Board President Diane Gibson-Gray called it an honor for both Davis and the school district.
“This is an honor to have Ms. Davis recognized state-wide for her patriotic lessons. Our students are the benefactor’s of her passion for our country, belief’s and ideals,” said Gibson-Gray.
According to the contest, local VFW’w local chapters (called posts) will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and submit it for District-level judging. From there, the selected winners are forwarded to the Department-level (state-level). Once they are judged on a state level, the winners are passed along to VFW National Headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest.
