Teacher recognized for wide-ranging positive impact
Aaron Davis, a teacher at Indian Valley High School, was named the 2023 Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year at the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce awards banquet on Jan. 24.
Indian Valley Superintendent Dr. Ira Wentworth’s nomination letter highlighted Davis’ wide-ranging positive impact on students and his willingness to take on diverse responsibilities beyond his teaching duties.
“Mr. Davis does everything, and everything he does, he does with excellence,” Wentworth said.
Though he primarily teaches social studies, Davis has furthered his education with a master’s degree that gives him the ability to teach college credit psychology, and he is currently in pursuit of a doctoral degree that will allow him to teach multimedia communications courses to Indian Valley students. Currently, students prepare for and take a drone license exam and then use drones in the aerial videos production class.
In addition, Davis serves as the adviser for an extracurricular broadcast media group called Braves Nation Communications, which livestreams school events. He also is the percussion instructor for Indian Valley’s award-winning marching band and pep band adviser during winter basketball season.
Both current and former students appreciate Davis’ impact through his teaching, mentoring and beyond. Senior Natalie Holbrook credits Davis’ mentoring in BNC for sparking career interests in communications and digital media. Sophomore Logan McPeek started working with local media companies after Davis encouraged him to hone his broadcasting talent during broadcasts of Indian Valley’s varsity basketball games, live on the Braves Nation Communications YouTube page.
Senior marching band member Gavin Elliot said Davis taught the percussion section valuable life lessons about respect and dignity while leading them with an enthusiastic, positive manner.
Amid his busy schedule, Davis is praised for fostering an engaging classroom environment tailored to each student’s needs.
“Mr. Davis is more than just a teacher, but also a mentor to all of his peers in need of guidance,” senior Landen McComb said. “Mr. Davis is kind and funny but also respectful and adapts his teaching style to fit his students’ needs. The connections he makes are memorable and remarkable. He is one of a kind and a teacher I wish I could have throughout the rest of my educational career.”
The sentiment from the Indian Valley community is Davis shapes students’ lives beyond the scope of his teaching duties.