TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Margaret Fischer Davis What motivated you to become an educator, and what kept you passionate throughout your career? My parents stressed the importance of education and doing your best. I have always enjoyed going to school and participating in related activities. I liked my teachers, and some were very encouraging. I wanted to help others, just as they had helped me. Becoming a teacher was the right path for me. As I matured as an educator, I recognized the changing learning and related facility needs of our students. As the world changed, so did the school. Striving to provide the best instructional programs and facilities to help meet the needs of our students kept me motivated. It’s all about the students and meeting their changing needs. How have you seen education change? Students are still students, but there have been many changes in how we educate them. When I first entered the profession, teachers had more discretion about the material to be taught and the sequence. In recent years, there have been many state and federal requirements to be met regarding the curriculum. Research has provided strategies and techniques to instruct students with different learning needs. The Internet was born! Now, teachers and students have the world at their fingertips. Technology has entered the classroom and changed the delivery of instruction. Safety protocols are more significant than ever due to our changing world and ever-present dangers. Facilities are modern with many amenities. Central heat and air are welcome and necessary in today’s schools. Parents are involved in choosing the schools and programs for their children. What advice would you give new educators? I believe education is a calling, not a job. Make certain you want to help and serve students. Their future (and ours) will be in your hands. Education is a very rewarding career. Was there someone who was an inspiration or mentor? When I entered administration at Pleasant Grove ISD, Leon Blake was there to show me the way. Every day, he demonstrated the philosophy of “Do what is best for the boys and girls.” With that example, the decisions I would need to make in the future were very clear. I will always appreciate Mr. Blake. He is a dedicated educator, a great mentor, and a lifelong friend. What are you proudest of from your time at Pleasant Grove? I served with talented teachers and students who distinguished themselves and our school district with many accomplishments and awards at the local, regional, state, and national levels. I am proud of all of them and the continuing success of our graduates. Pleasant Grove graduates are today’s leaders in all aspects of society. Go Hawks!
Mrs. Davis was always a positive role model and a welcoming presence whenever she entered a room. Her leadership and support for the administrators, teachers, and staff were amazing. She knew the teachers and trusted them to provide the best education possible for every student to succeed. Mrs. Davis led the district with superior knowledge, kindness, and grace. PGISD was very fortunate to have her, and she is definitely a legend in education.”
—Suzanne Rochelle, Retired Teacher 20 years at PGISD (28 years total)
After graduation from PGHS, I went to work for Mrs. Davis at the PGISD central office. Her poise as a leader and her passion for education inspired me, a young woman on the brink of adulthood. When I experienced a sudden and tragic loss, Mrs. Davis encouraged me and gave me advice I’ll never forget. She said, ‘Education is something they can never take away from you.’ Months later, I enrolled full-time in college to pursue a bachelor’s and eventually master’s degree. I credit Mrs. Davis for giving me the push I needed to create a better life for myself. I will forever be grateful to her. She believed in education, and she believed in me.”
—Caroline Middleton Holcomb, PGHS Class of 2004
Mrs. Margaret Davis exemplified visionary leadership, transforming our district into a beacon of innovation and excellence. Her strategic foresight and unwavering dedication to student success shaped the educational policies and practices, setting a high standard for academic achievement. Mrs. Davis’s impact on my career and personal development is immeasurable. As a legendary superintendent and mentor, her legacy inspires me to uphold the highest standards of educational leadership, always striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and educators alike. To know her is to love her and respect her. She embodies what it means to be a hawk. She is not only a mentor, but I am honored to call her my friend.”
—Kristen Giles, Assistant Superintendent, PGISD
The influence of Mrs. Davis is woven throughout the Pleasant Grove Independent School District. I am thankful for her friendship and continued support of our district. She exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in all she does, and our students today are impacted by the leadership and influence of Mrs. Davis.”
—Chad Pirtle, Superintendent, PGISD
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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