Hillside High class creates connection to make up for time lost during COVID
At Durham’s Hillside High, English teacher Jahara Davis is trying to make up for lost time with upperclassmen who began their high school careers trapped at home by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A typical day in Davis’ class — she calls it "Village University — includes a special circle time and often touches on issues beyond the academic.
"Even though you guys are juniors and seniors, when you come into class, I can see how your spirit is," Davis tells her students.
She understands what the seniors have gone through. "These students came into Hillside at the same time, three years ago, right after the pandemic."
Senior Jayden Courtney remembers the boredom of "at home" learning.
"You’re just sitting at the computer, staring at the screen the whole time, but coming to high school, especially being in a class with Professor Davis, she just made it a lot better."
Davis remembers those difficult days. "I think when the world shut down, we all were just trying to build a plane as we were flying it," she said.
As schools reopened Davis focused on helping students catch up. She created a community of support.
Senior Tabitha Morant explained, "It’s her classroom culture and it’s the bond that we create amongst each other and it makes us feel like family. We connect on a level that’s beyond surface. So we get each other, we understand each other and then we create bonds with each other."
Davis’ creative approach helped more than 45 of her Village University Scholars exceed growth for both the school and the district. It earned her Durham Public Schools’ "Teacher of the Year" recognition.
Davis started a GoFundMe to reward the students.
She said, "Hard work does pay off. I want to show them that."
The money raised will pay for a group trip to Washington, D.C., where the students plan to visit the famous sights including the African-American Museum and take in a Washington Wizards basketball game.
Carol Richardson, a parent, says the students earned the trip with their hard work and achievement. "I think it’s great that they can see that somebody still believes in them, somebody they can still hold accountable and deliver what they promised in today’s society."
Durham Public Schools donated $2,300 for the students’ trip. Davis expects their GoFundMe page to help raise the rest of their $20,000 goal.
