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Faculty Page for Prof. Phyllis Davis
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Professor Phyllis J. Dales Davis has taught English at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College since the spring semester of 1991 when she completed an internship under the supervision of Dr. Eric Hibbison. She began her own college education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the fall of 1980. By the end of the spring semester in 1987, Professor Davis had completed three associate degrees at the College--an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and two A.S. degrees (one in Education and one in Business Administration).
She continued her education at the University of Richmond as a Virginia Scholar, and in 1990 she earned a B.A. in English/Secondary Education from that University. Then in 1991, while serving her internship at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Professor Davis completed her M.A. in English/literature at Virginia Commonwealth University. Since that time, she has been teaching English 111 and 112 through the English Department and Poetry courses through Community Services at the College.
Professor Davis cannot remember the time when she was not writing stories and poems. In addition to her teaching load at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, she always finds time to write poetry and short stories, besides editing and criticizing poetry for others who are interested in publishing. In 1995, she was chosen for an Editor's Choice Award by The Famous Poet's Society.
PUBLICATIONS
Poem - DREAM DAYS, NEW SOUTH POETRY
Poem - EAST OF THE SUNRISE
Poems - TODAY'S GREAT POEMS
Poem - THOSE MOVE EASIEST WHO HAVE LEARNED HOW TO DANCE
Poem - POETIC VOICES OF AMERICA
Short Story - THE MESSENGER
PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY
Phyllis was born in Southwestern Virginia in the small town of Grundy, Virginia, in Buchanan County. Grundy has most notably been in the news recently for the opening of a new law school in the old high school building from which she graduated in 1963. You can read about it by clicking on the county link given above. The small town has also been in the news because the town itself is being moved to a new location due to flooding which occurs often in the mountain region raped for years by a once booming mining industry.
This photo gives you a sense of the beauty in the lush mountains where Phyllis grew up.
Phyllis is one of five children born to Anderson and Mildred Dales; she has three sisters and a brother who is deceased. However, she cannot remember a time when there weren't other people, relatives, friends, and the homeless, living in their home as she grew up. Phyllis' father was a coal miner who began working outside the mines, from which he retired, when he was twelve years old, and her mother was "the mother" for the neighborhood and then a homemaker.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, Eastern Washington University (People To People Student Ambassador Program),Virginia Commonwealth University, The Governor's School for the Gifted, Hermitage High School, and the Richmond Montessori School
OTHER PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT
Page Communications Engineers, Inc., Washington, D.C., and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C.
PRESENTER/SPEAKER
Professor Davis has given presentations at a Virginia Association of Teachers of English convention and a Virginia Community College System convention on semiotics and the design of an English 112 course which incorporates the ideas of collaboration and community. She was also a presenter/speaker in 1993 at the Southern Regional Council on Black American Affairs , where she discussed how her English 112 courses incorporate and promote multicultural ideas.
Professor Davis has also presented the Phi Beta Kappa Jefferson Cup to the Outstanding Graduating Senior at Meadowbrook High School (twice), Huguenot High School (twice), Henrico High School, and Douglas S. Freeman High School.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Modern Language Association, National Council of Teachers of English, Virginia Association of Teachers of English, The Southeastern Conference on English in Two-Year Colleges, College English Association, The Poetry Society of Virginia, and The Southeast Writers Association
HONORS
Professor Davis was chosen as a People To People Ambassador and named the Primary Delegation Leader for the Summer 1997 and Summer 1998 delegations which departed from the Richmond, Virginia, to Europe. The program was begun in the 1950's by President Eisenhower with the hope of promoting peace and goodwill among the people of the world. During the summer of 1997, Professor Davis led a group of four teachers and forty students to Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland. During the Summer of 1998, she was the Primary Delegation Leader for a group of four teachers and thirty-eight students who traveled to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. For the students who travel with Professor Davis, the highlight of the trips is the homestay experience in various homes in the countries the delegation visits.
HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Phi Beta Kappa
Golden Key Honor Society
Kappa Delta Pi
Aeropagus
Mortar Board
BIOGRAPHY PUBLISHED
WHO'S WHO IN THE HUMANITIES (1992)
NATIONAL MORTAR BOARD ALUMNI MAGAZINE (1991)
OUTSTANDING COLLEGE STUDENTS IN AMERICA (1989)
