97ZOK Teacher of the Week

Her journey to this Loves Park, Illinois classroom meant overcoming tragedy as a single mom and practicing what she preached to her son.

97ZOK Teacher of the Week

I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to share the stories of so many amazing teachers we have in the Rockford region. Below, hear our new Teacher of the Week share her incredible story on The Steve Shannon Show.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Shanon Davidson from Loves Park Elementary in Loves Park, Illinois.

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Kara Freet nominated Shanon for this honor, she writes:

I would like to nominate Mrs. Davidson for teacher of the week for many, many reasons. Let me start off by telling you how Mrs. Davidson became a teacher. It was never her childhood dream to be a teacher. Her personal tragedy and heartache as an adult led her to where she is today with 17 years in education, with this year being her 8th as a teacher. As a single, young mother raising three young children of her own, Shanon put herself through school, worked a full-time job, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education. Did she stop there? Nope! As she began to teach her own students, she herself went back to school and earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She is always continuing her own education so that she can pass her knowledge down to her own students. In the spring of 2022, Mrs. Davidson was able to travel to Alaska where she was excited to bring her passion for the Iditarod to life and expand upon it so she could bring her experience back to her students to share. Her classroom even adopted a rookie musher and the kids were able to send holiday cards to him. How cool that must have been for them! Also, in June of 2019 while on her own personal trip to Jamaica she and her husband packed a suitcase full of school supplies and spent a day of teaching with the local kids in their school. I wish I could show you the pictures of the beautiful smiles on those children's faces and they sat there and listened to Mrs. Davidson. What a treat and experience that must have been for those kids! Her passion and love for her school kids and her work show in her face and her voice every time I get to hear her talk about them and her classroom. These are words spoken by Mrs. Davidson on the night before the first day of school this year: “I’m so excited to see the people that make my day happy tomorrow. My job has contributed to my beliefs, my morals and values. I have learned so much about trauma and what others go through. If I make a personal connection with just one student, I know I've fulfilled my purpose. I may not be the greatest teacher, but you can bet your boots I will always have your kid's back." This woman in my eyes is nothing but amazing and I'm so proud to call her my friend. If anyone deserves to be teacher of the week, it's Mrs. Davidson. LET'S MAKE HER SHINE! Thank you!

Listen to Shanon share her story, including that challenge from her son, that I mentioned earlier.

Design by Steve Shannon

As Teacher of the Week, Shanon was surprised with a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and money to spend at WM Day Spa Salon.

If you would like to nominate your favorite teacher, click HERE.