Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools issued the following announcement.
Last week marked the end of Dr. Carol Montague-Davis’ career as principal at Carver High School, but the legacy she leaves behind is sure to endure for years to come.
Carol Montague-Davis with some of her marching band students.This is actually Montague-Davis’ second departure from the school – she was principal at Carver between 2004 and 2008 before she was promoted to instructional superintendent of middle schools for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Due to budget cuts, she eventually became an instructional superintendent for both middle and high schools in the district. It was more work than she had originally anticipated, but she rose to the occasion.
“It was overwhelming, but it was also very rewarding,” Montague-Davis said.
She would rise to the occasion again in 2017, when she returned to Carver at her own request. She wasn't in a district leadership position anymore, but she saw that as a positive opportunity. After nearly a decade at the central office, she felt like she could make more of an impact on students by scaling her focus back down to one school.
“We can lose touch with what’s really going on in the schools if we’re not careful,” Montague-Davis said.
Montague-Davis’ top priority when she returned to Carver was making sure every student who went there would feel proud of where they went to school. She did that by focusing on expanded student opportunities, such as partnerships with Forsyth Technical Community College and the IT Academy, as well as hiring personnel who were as committed as possible to educational excellence. Those who worked with her noted her high standards for performance from her staff and herself.
“It was always a learning experience to watch her in action as a leader,” said Executive Director of Human Resources Brenda Bourne. “She was compassionate, yet set high expectations for herself and others. She always wanted and expected the best for her students.”
Carver showed remarkable improvement to its test scores and passing rates after 2017 according to analysisCarol Montague-Davis with her basketball players. from the state. That progress had a lot to do with tutoring and credit recovery programs that Montague-Davis prioritized, and her coworkers believe the groundwork she laid will instill greater academic confidence in future generations of students.
“The foundation and work Dr. Carol Montague-Davis provided at Carver during her time as principal will be paramount and influential for all success achieved in the future,” said North Area Superintendent Quincy Williams. “She was an educational pillar and one that will be missed.”
Montague-Davis hopes that she will have plenty of opportunities to stay involved with Carver Nation during her retirement, but she’s not committing to any post-professional plans yet. After all the work she’s put in for the school and for the district as a whole, she’s ready for a well-earned rest.
“The only thing I know is that I don’t want a plan,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll be doing something soon because I’ve got too much energy… but I’ve had a plan for the last 40 years and I don’t want one right now.”
Jake Browning
jbrowning2@wsfcs.k12.nc.us
(336) 727-8213 Ext. 70545
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up