After 30 years in education, Corbin’s Ramona Davis announces retirement

The Corbin High School Choir sang for Assistant Superintendent Ramona Davis during a reception Friday afternoon to celebrate her upcoming retirement. Davis is seen with her husband, Jeff, and their grandson.

After 30 years in education in the Corbin School System, Deputy Superintendent Ramona Davis is calling it a career.

Davis, who began teaching in 1983 and came to Corbin schools as an eighth grade science teacher in 1987, is retiring effective Oct. 1.

A reception in her honor was held Monday at The Corbin Center. School officials, family, and friends attended the event.

“It is a big family and it is going to be hard to leave it,” Davis said of the faculty and staff at Corbin Independent Schools.

“I’ve had most of these people in school that I’m working with,” Davis said with a laugh.

Davis said she has always loved science and decided to use that as a career path.

After one year teaching at Knox County Schools, Davis spent four years as a chemist before returning to the classroom at Corbin Middle School.

“I think you have a niche in life and that was my niche,” Davis said of science. “I love science.”

Davis said the most enjoyable aspect of being in the classroom is having students who shared that love of science.

“I remember times when I would have great classes and we would be having wonderful conversations about the subject and the bell would ring and we would be so disappointed,” Davis recalled.

Davis said with poll after poll showing that women are underrepresented in the sciences, she especially loved that she could share her love with female students and inspire them to pursue a career in the field of science.

“I really, really wanted to see girls love science,” Davis said adding during her time as a chemist she was regularly the only woman in the room.

Davis said it was former Superintendent Ed McNeel that convinced her she had the potential to be an administrator.

“Mr. McNeel told me that he could see leadership qualities in me, even though I thought there was no way I could be a principal. I had no clue what was involved.” Davis said. “When Mr. (David) Cox became principal at the middle school I became the assistant and when he became deputy superintendent, I became the principal.”

Davis said a principal is like a teacher in many of the same respects, but instead of guiding the students, you are guiding the faculty and staff.

“It is still teaching,” Davis said. “I feel like I’m always in that teaching mode.”

Cox succeeded McNeil when he retired and once again had Davis at his side as she was promoted to deputy superintendent.

Cox agreed with Davis that every person working in education has a niche and that Davis was the ideal person to have at the middle school.

“She understands the middle school mentality,” Cox said of Davis explaining that it is a difficult time as the students are transitioning from children to young adults.

“Mrs. Davis also understood the social aspect of middle school and that education is not just about classroom learning but about educating the whole child.”

Davis said she would be continuing to work in the field of education as she is taking a position with Eastern Kentucky University to serve as Academic Services Manager.

“I will be advising students and teaching education,” Davis explained.