When the call came for Pam Davis to lead her building, the only option was to answer it – simply because that is how she is wired.

That drive—paired with her spontaneous yet faith-rooted, solution-oriented mindset—is why the Board of Education hired Davis in February to succeed Candace Warren as principal of Poplar Bluff Junior High School.

“Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Pam and have seen firsthand the dedication she brings to our students, staff and school community each and every day,” stated Kathy Pattillo, long-time Junior High social studies teacher. “She leads by example, embraces every opportunity to learn and grow, and inspires those around her to do the same. Her work ethic, genuine care for people and commitment to excellence make her an outstanding leader.”

Reminiscent of her predecessor, Davis was previously employed as a district-wide instructional coach, with her office stationed at Junior High. Her tenure with R-I began in the Business Education Department for several years at the High School. During that time at PBHS, she served as a building ambassador under the district instructional coaches, who approached her with the opportunity to advocate for her faculty peers.

During her first year teaching in 2018/19, she can remember participating in a breakout session at the district’s iThink Summer Academy led by former instructional coach Michele Carmode, now curriculum director at Dexter. "I was thinking, I want to be her one day so I can help so many people," Davis recalled.

In just her third year as an educator, Davis was named secondary grade-span Teacher of the Year by her colleagues. Her supervisor at the time noted that she was one of those teachers who "walks in and starts making an impact." Students credited her for showing up at various extracurricular activities and often shooting photography, a side gig of hers.

Other extra duties that have helped round out her experience working for the school system have included teaching driver’s ed over the summer; serving as a homebound teacher per request of families she had connected with in the classroom; and co-sponsoring the Senior Beta Club alongside PBHS Assistant Principal Dr. Stephanie Kuper, who together earned the John W. Harris Educators of Excellence award in 2023.

While her administrative duties may appear fast-tracked, teaching is actually Davis’ second career, having operated the business Here’s Your Sign in her hometown of Doniphan for over 15 years. She crafted the business plan as a high school project, she said, and decided to actually move forward and open the print shop within months of graduating, using her coveted ‘pull truck’ as collateral for a business loan.

“Learning how to work with people, making connections and building relationships, seeing the value in people,” Davis explained of the customer service mindset she brings into public education, also a people business. “When you can see the value in kids that they may not see in themselves – you know, everyone has a chance to change the world.”

With the same determination that fueled her entrepreneurial spirit, she sold her business just like that when she and her husband Doug had their fourth daughter. A pivotal moment occurred when her grandmother, Betty Johnson, passed away a few weeks after Aubree was born, and Davis decided it was time to transition to a new profession. She had already been coaching softball and basketball for Lone Star, and made her way into the classroom substitute teaching for Doniphan.

“She was a community grandma, and I thought, ‘How can I keep her legacy alive?’ Go where the kids are,” Davis explained. “I had my AA degree (from Three Rivers College), I was a mom of a newborn and three other kids, active in all the things, and I wanted to show my kids to finish what they started.”

Davis earned dual bachelor’s degrees, one in accounting and another in business education, from Central Methodist University in Fayette, where she is currently completing her final class toward her master’s in educational leadership.

As she steps into her administrative post, Davis will be joined by several new team members, including an assistant principal, assistant athletic director, IEP (individualized education program) facilitator and multiple faculty members. Among the core veteran teachers that remain is Pattillo, who will be in her 30th year in education and plans to retire after 2026/27 alongside her husband, John David, of PBHS.

“Having had the opportunity to participate in the selection process, I left with complete confidence that Pam is the right person to lead our school,” Pattillo continued. “She is committed to honoring the extraordinary legacy Candace has built while bringing her own vision, passion and leadership to the next chapter of Poplar Bluff Junior High.”

###

Cutline: Pam Davis, former secondary grade-level Teacher-of-the-Year and business owner in Doniphan, succeeded Candace Warren as PBJHS principal on Wednesday, July 1.