Teacher of the Year brings learning to life through hands-on lessons
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It was 1989, and Halle Davidson had earned a bachelor’s degree in business but shuddered at the thought of spending her days in an office cubicle.
Davidson considered what she wanted in a career and determined that children would be involved. Davidson had been a camp counselor and had babysat since the sixth grade, and she had found those jobs rewarding.
“I loved kids, loved being around kids,” said Davidson, who now teaches at Top of the World Elementary School and is Laguna Beach Unified School District’s newest Teacher of the Year.
Davidson, who teaches second grade, has taught at Top of the World since 1993, ascribing to a steady diet of hands-on lessons rather than strict adherence to lecture-driven instruction.
She has baked layer cakes to teach landforms, used salt dough in science experiments and created three-dimensional items to explain math concepts, according to a district news release.
“I’m an advocate of doing,” Davidson said. “I don’t like to [demonstrate] for the kids. If we’re cooking, kids do the measuring, kids break the eggs. I’m always thinking of how to let them do it.”
Colleagues admire Davidson for her ability to build lasting and meaningful connections with students, and her willingness to lend a helping hand when needed, the release said.
Principal Mike Conlon commended Davidson for her creativity in developing lessons.
“It’s always fun to go into her classroom because you never know what new and exciting lesson you will see,” Conlon said.
Davidson was raised in Anaheim and earned her business degree at Georgetown University and teaching credential at San Diego State. She lives in Rancho Santa Margarita.
The Teacher of the Year award rotates each year among the district’s four schools.
A group that includes teachers, counselors, speech-language pathologists and psychologists submit up to three nominees for the award, Leisa Winston, Laguna Beach Unified’s assistant superintendent of human resources and communications, wrote in an email.
Nominees must meet certain criteria to be considered, such as a being a fully credentialed teacher for at least eight years, having taught students for at least 2.5 days per week and having never previously been selected for the honor, Winston said.
Davidson will be recognized at the Orange County Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year dinner in October at the Disneyland Hotel.
“I’m a little embarrassed; I don’t feel extraordinary in any way,” Davidson said. “The fact that I’m being recognized by my peers is a huge honor for me.”
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
