Mansfield mayor G.W. Davis’ love of teaching beams through retirement

MANSFIELD, Ga. – Humility and gratitude sum up the values of lifelong Mansfield native G.W. Davis, who has served as mayor for the final 5 years. Mayoral duties apart, Davis’ joys lie deeply rooted throughout the neighborhood he has thought of residence since delivery. 

Over the course of his life, Davis has upheld many distinguished titles, nonetheless, being an educator, a son, a brother, a husband and a father of three fuels him with deep pleasure.

“What often folks discover a grievance about I can reward,” Davis stated. “For those who hear folks speaking destructive[ly] about stuff, the large three I do know of [are] complain[ts] about their job, their mother-in-law, or their brother-in-law. I had the best job on the planet being principal at Mansfield Elementary College. My mother- in-law was a saint. I obtained a brother-in-law who lives excellent throughout from us, who’s simply nearly as good as he might be. I’ve had a really blessed life.”

Since delivery, Davis has skilled the vast majority of his life in Mansfield. From attending Mansfield Elementary College to graduating from Newton Excessive College, his involvement in the neighborhood has remained unwavering.

“I’ve spent my entire life in [this] one little sq. mile,” Davis stated. “The city is the place I grew up. It was an idyllic place to develop up. All people knew me and I knew all people and had tons of oldsters taking care of me and nice associates.”

Earlier than happening to acquire a number of higher-level levels within the area of schooling, Davis’ ardour for instructing was found in eighth grade, when he was requested to look at a second grade class within the short-term absence of a trainer.

“I knew from that second on that I needed to be a trainer,” Davis stated. “So, I went into schooling. That was additionally a type of God moments the place you are feeling the route telling you, ‘this what it is advisable do.’”

After incomes an affiliate diploma in schooling at Brewton- Parker Faculty, Davis obtained his bachelor’s diploma in the sphere from Columbus State College. Later, he acquired his grasp’s and specialist diploma in instructional management from Georgia State College.

Starting his instructional profession within the Clayton County Public College District, Davis taught fifth grade for 5 years and sixth grade for the next six years earlier than progressing into administrative titles for the following 15 years.

Regardless of feeling homesick for his hometown whereas working in one other county, the Clayton County Public College District supplied Davis the chance to fulfill his spouse, Mary Ann, a fellow educator.

“I by no means counted Clayton County as my residence,” Davis stated. “I all the time counted Mansfield as my residence as a result of I got here residence each weekend.”

Shortly after getting married and changing into pregnant with their first little one, the Davis’ made the choice to settle in Mansfield, the place each Mary Ann and G.W. discovered jobs within the Newton County College System.

Whereas Mary Anne transitioned between instructing at Palmer Stone and Livingston Elementary College, G.W. labored at Sharp Center College earlier than changing into principal of his alma mater, Mansfield Elementary College. Davis’ tenure as Mansfield Elementary’s principal spanned 20 years earlier than his retirement in 2012.

Although now 10 years faraway from the sphere of schooling, Davis nonetheless displays on his 40 12 months profession with fondness and success.

“I like to make connections with folks, discover out about folks and discover out about youngsters and attain ‘em not solely at an tutorial degree, however get them emotionally concerned within the studying,” Davis stated. “Love hands-on stuff. Did as many science experiments and that type of factor as I may.”

“I had the best job on the planet being principal at Mansfield Elementary College,” Davis continued. “Best youngsters. I’d put ‘em up subsequent to anyone. Tremendously supportive mother and father, oh gosh, that was so many good years there.” Retirement has but to stop Davis’ dedication to instructing. Every Sunday for the previous 45 years, Davis has taught Sunday College at Mansfield Baptist Church.

“I used to be born on a Sunday,” Davis stated. “I used to be placed on the cradle roll of Mansfield Baptist Church that Sunday. And I’ve been concerned with it ever since. So I’ve been right here my entire life.”

In his free time, Davis enjoys searching, geocaching, visiting his kids, going to church and aiding his spouse along with her pastime of images.

“My spouse is a superb photographer,” Davis stated. “She has gotten into evening images and we’ve been going in the dark to darkish sky spots, [taking] photos of the Milky Method and that type of factor.”

For Davis, being a longtime resident of Mansfield has but to lose its sparkle.

“There are such a lot of good issues about Mansfield. It’s exhausting for me to determine only one factor,” Davis stated. “It’s not a cutthroat space. I see people who find themselves genuinely involved for each other, very like it was throughout my childhood.There’s not an excessive amount of wealth, however there’s not an excessive amount of poverty. It’s simply hard-working of us making an attempt to make a dwelling, having fun with life, elevating households, that type of factor.”

No matter his mayoral standing, Davis’ spouse hopes Mansfield residents understand the devotion he continues to take care of for his neighborhood.

“[I wish people knew] simply what sort of coronary heart he has for this city,” Mary Ann stated. “He cares a lot. I imply, he grew up right here. That is what he is aware of.”