Jan Davis never imagined her daughter Kelly Davis Avalos would follow her into teaching. Neither did she know their styles would be so different.  

“I’m more loving,” Jan says. “Relationships are really important to me.” She spent her career at Holbrook Elementary School building relationships with fourth graders and their parents, connecting on a personal level.

Kelly, now at Diamond Ridge High School, operates from the opposite end of the spectrum. “I don’t really like young kids,” she says frankly. “I prefer logic and negotiation.” She’s also taught at South Davis Junior High, Woods Cross High School, and at a private high school in Mexico City.

Their contrasting styles became clear when one of Jan’s former students ended up in Kelly’s classroom as a junior. Upon discovering who Kelly’s mother was, he said, “Your mom is so much nicer than you.”

Kelly wasn’t offended. Same but different, is how this mother and daughter describe their collective 52 years in public education. Different styles but the same passion for the importance of public education.

Creating a moral society

“Public education is about creating a decent and moral society by allowing everyone the same opportunities,” said Kelly. “Even if you don’t have kids in the public school system, you still pay taxes in hopes of living in a better world.”

Another area of similarity is their desire to build up their students. Jan tells a story about running into the older sister of a former student. As the two women chatted, the older sister texted her younger sister to say she was visiting with Jan. She texted back, “Mrs. Davis was my favorite teacher because she told me I was smart.”

“That kind of blew my mind a little bit,” said Jan. “I mean it was a compliment but it almost broke my heart because all of us as teachers should be telling these kids they can do whatever they put their minds to. Every kid should feel they’re smart.”

Teaching kids to be the best they can be

Kelly also builds up her students in her dual role as teacher as well as advisor in Latinos in Action. She was only the second teacher in the Davis district to implement the national program that has made a huge difference in the lives of its members. Its goal is to offer support, serve the community and help students become successful leaders. A few years ago, the organization awarded Kelly Teacher of the Year.

Former LIA member Diana Marroquin said her teacher, Mrs. Avalos had been a big part of her life at Woods Cross. “She’s like a mother to all of us.”

Kelly’s philosophy mirrors her mom’s: She wants each of her students to be the best that they can be. “I want my kids to know that I love and care about them,” said Kelly. “At the end of each class period, I say, ‘I love you appropriately. See you tomorrow.’”

More respect needed for teachers

Kelly and Jan also share the same desire to be treated as the professionals they are.

“It’s not OK to show up on my doorstep or text me at 11:30 p.m.,” said Kelly. “Would you show up at your doctor’s home? I would never treat a doctor or someone else the way some parents think it’s OK to treat me. Don’t just walk in my classroom and talk to me while I’m teaching. Some people treat us like we’re an extension of their family but not in a nice way.”

Now retired but a frequent substitute teacher, Jan said she wanted parents to feel she was approachable, but at a decent time. “Parents were not always respectful of boundaries,” she said. “Maybe your child needs something different, but as teachers we’re always trying to do what’s best for the entire group.” 

She also wishes parents understood how dedicated teachers are to helping their child learn. “Everything we do is designed to help a child. Everything. And it takes hours and hours and hours. I always went back into my class about four weeks before school started to get everything ready – decorating bulletin boards, having supplies on hand for kids who didn’t come prepared and much more.”

Mutual admiration

Each admires the other’s strengths. “My mom is so kind and loving, and knows and remembers every single one of her kids’ names,” said Kelly. “It’s pretty amazing to watch her.”

Jan said, “I admire Kelly’s strength and knowledge of how to teach. She’s so efficient, organized and succinct. She just really knows her stuff.”

Regardless of their differing styles and ages of students, these mother-daughter educators find needed support in each other. They share resources and advice. But most importantly, they understand each other.

“As much as I love my husband, he doesn’t get it, but my mom does,” said Kelly. “She understands the hard days.”