Current Advanced and AP World History teacher at Union High School, Dr. Cory Davis was named Union Public School’s Teacher of the Year. An honor that Dr. Davis said was surreal to receive.
“I work with so many colleagues who inspire me every day with their creativity, passion, and professionalism; being chosen by them and by our outstanding leadership across the district to represent them as Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor. Choosing a history teacher for Teacher of the Year tells me that Union genuinely values the work we do to prepare students not only for colleges and careers but also for their communities as responsible citizens and educated voters,” Dr. Davis said.
A former graduate assistant in history at the University of Arizona, Dr. Davis taught college history courses from 2012 to 2020. In 2018 he began teaching high school while finishing his dissertation and earning his doctorate.
“I originally wanted a degree in history to become a professor and professional historian, but by the time I finished in 2022, I realized that I enjoyed teaching high school more! Equipping students with a social studies education and using my experience to help them navigate their way to college fit me better than anything I was doing in academia, and I truly valued the impact I was having on the students. So, in a weird way, my students inspired me to become a teacher,” Dr. Davis said.
The classroom is a home away from home for Dr. Davis and his students benefit from his passion for history. The diverse culture and emphasis on the student at UPS is what helped convince Dr. Davis that Union was the right place for him.
““Union is not just a great place for me – it’s the ONLY place! Union is the only school rated by US News and World Report as a Top Five school in Oklahoma for diversity and for college readiness. I love that when we talk about world history in my classroom, we don’t have to imagine what it would be like to know people with different cultural practices speaking different languages worshiping in different ways because that’s us! That’s Union,” Dr. Davis said.
Next year Dr. Davis is restarting the AP Seminar program.
“I also serve as sponsor for Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society and Model UN,” said Davis. “Chase that dream,” is his message to the graduating seniors.
“Whether you are on the way to college, to vo-tech, or to 40 hours a week; take every opportunity to chase a dream. Apply for that study abroad program. Take that culinary class. Explore possibilities that always seemed out of reach because if you do, you might find that they are right there. Don’t get stuck waiting for the perfect time to try. Being responsible doesn’t mean being boring, and you deserve a shot at your dreams!”
