In each and every community we have teachers and principals that make a big impact on our students and parents. In our community, we have Roberta Davenport.
Roberta was born and raised in Farragut Houses. Growing up with her nine siblings in a two-parent household, she always felt safe and secure both within her family and the close-knit neighborhood she grew up in. Her parents created traditions to celebrate birthdays, holidays and special occasions. The household was active and fun. During her childhood, Roberta enjoyed going to church and school and loved to read, write, draw and go outside with friends.
Roberta attended college, earned her teaching and administrator certifications and went on to work as an educator in CSD 13. She loved to teach and support every student in a way that ensured each would succeed and reach his or her full potential. She eventually became principal of Daniel Hale Williams PS 307, which, under her leadership was later renamed Daniel Hale Williams, PS 307 The Magnet School for STEM. She served 12 years as principal.
Roberta began working with principals as a leadership coach after her retirement. She supported their efforts toward building and sustaining a school-wide culture of whole school racial equity.
She encourages anyone interested in advocacy to do their own research, keep an open mind, stay positive, focused, associate with like-minded people, find one’s own voice and a constructive way of expressing it and most importantly to make time for quiet contemplation and strive to live a balanced life.
In order to strengthen our community, Roberta asks us to think about ways to build strong family units based on respectful interactions, kindness and leading by example. Give some thought to building on and creating rich family legacies. Also, come to agreement on community standards, identify what’s hurting our community and drive out activities that cause harm, build positive relationships with agencies and organizations that service our community, and think about what we want for our children and their future when working toward improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
