Davenport wins Title 1 award
Christy Davenport, a Title I teacher at Centertown and Morrison schools, has been recognized as one of two state Title I Distinguished Graduates by the Tennessee Department of Education.
A federally funded program, Title I provides teachers for schools with a high poverty rate. These teachers work as tutors with small groups of students who have difficulties in reading and math.
The Title I Distinguished Graduate Program is sponsored by the National Association of State Title I Directors. Its purpose is to recognize outstanding graduates who took part in the Title I program during their own school careers. Further, it serves to demonstrate the program makes a significant difference in the lives of children and that the Distinguished Graduates have gone on to lead productive lives and can serve as role models for struggling children.
Growing up, Davenport had to overcome many obstacles to find the success she now enjoys. With several physical handicaps, she also had to raise her three brothers and sisters while living in her grandmother’s house, where she said education was not a high priority.
Making matters worse, she had difficulty reading. She was saved, she said, by the Title I program, noting without it, and especially teacher Betty Stacey, it would have been very difficult for her to graduate high school – and nearly impossible for her to earn her college degree.
A first-year Title I teacher, she said working in the program is a very rewarding experience, one made all the more unique as she is able to share her story of triumph over adversity with her students, showing them anything is possible.
“I want my students to never forget that challenges are only that – challenges – a way to stretch your abilities and help you succeed,” she said.
In being named a Title I Distinguished Graduate, Davenport received an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Title I Conference held earlier this month in Anaheim, Calif., where she and her fellow Distinguished Graduates from across the country were honored with an awards luncheon.